Private water haulers to provide non-potable water Sunday evening in Frederiksted as drought and system pressures affect water service
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has authorized the deployment of private water haulers on St. Croix as the Bryan-Roach Administration moves forward with contingency measures to assist residents affected by low water pressure and water service interruptions.
The action comes as prolonged drought conditions have reduced available water inventory on St. Croix, while the recent Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority wastewater force main rupture in Christiansted prompted the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority to suspend reverse-osmosis water production at its Richmond facility as a precaution pending water-quality testing.
Those conditions, combined with reduced pumping throughout WAPA’s distribution system, have resulted in low water pressure and service interruptions in several areas.
Beginning Sunday, August 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., non-potable water will be available at two locations in Frederiksted:
- The parking lot adjacent to the Midre Almeric Cummings Recreational and Youth Facility
- Reinholdt Jackson Sports Complex
Residents should bring their own containers and will be limited to 25 gallons per resident per day, or five 5-gallon containers.
The water is non-potable and should not be used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or other consumption.
“We know that families are being affected by low pressure and water interruptions, and we are not going to wait for those conditions to worsen before acting,” Governor Bryan said. “We are putting resources into the community now to provide some immediate relief while WAPA works to restore water production, rebuild its inventory and stabilize the distribution system.”
VIWMA completed repairs to the damaged force main early Sunday morning, restoring the LBJ Pump Station to operation. WAPA continues to await water-quality test results before resuming normal production at Richmond.
Rainfall associated with Sunday’s weather system is welcomed after the Territory’s prolonged dry conditions and may provide some relief to household cisterns and overall demand on the public water system. The Administration will continue monitoring conditions and may adjust or expand water distribution operations as necessary.
Residents are encouraged to conserve potable water and continue monitoring official updates from Government House, VITEMA and WAPA.
The Joint Information Center will provide additional information as water distribution and restoration efforts continue.
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