Action maintains deployment of government resources as water production resumes and distribution system recovery continues
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has issued Executive Order No. 548-2026 to formalize and sustain the Government of the Virgin Islands’ coordinated response to recent water service challenges on St. Croix as conditions continue to improve and the island’s potable water system moves toward full stabilization.
The order ensures that territorial agencies and resources already supporting the response remain available while the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority rebuilds water inventory and restores pressure throughout its distribution system.
“This is about making sure we maintain the resources and coordination necessary to see this response through to completion,” Governor Bryan said. “The conditions that caused these disruptions have significantly improved, but we know some residents may continue to experience low pressure or intermittent service as WAPA rebuilds its water inventory and repressurizes the system. We are going to continue supporting the people of St. Croix until service is fully stabilized.”
The recent water service challenges resulted from a combination of prolonged drought conditions, which reduced available water inventory on St. Croix, and the rupture of a Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority wastewater force main in Christiansted.
As a precaution following the force main rupture, WAPA temporarily suspended reverse-osmosis water production at its Richmond Plant while water-quality testing was conducted. The Waste Management Authority completed repairs to the ruptured force main Sunday morning, August 30, and water production at WAPA’s Richmond Plant resumed Sunday evening.
While those underlying issues have been addressed, the temporary interruption in production further reduced available water inventory and contributed to low water pressure and service interruptions in portions of St. Croix. WAPA continues working to rebuild inventory and gradually restore pressure across the system.
In response, the Bryan-Roach Administration activated a coordinated multi-agency effort that included the deployment of private water haulers to provide non-potable water to affected residents in Frederiksted and the mobilization of government personnel and resources to support those distribution operations.
Executive Order No. 548-2026 formally continues that coordinated response. It activates the St. Croix Emergency Operations Center and designates VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen as Territorial Coordinating Officer. Health Commissioner Justa “Tita” Encarnacion has been designated Incident Commander, with the Virgin Islands Department of Health serving as the lead agency in coordination with VITEMA.
The order also authorizes the continued support of the Virgin Islands National Guard, which has been assisting alongside the Virgin Islands Police Department and other government agencies with water distribution operations and maintaining an orderly environment at distribution sites.
Under the executive order, all agencies under the Governor’s authority are directed to make available the personnel, equipment, supplies and other resources necessary to support the response and recovery effort.
As required under Virgin Islands law to provide those authorities, Executive Order No. 548-2026 formally declares a State of Emergency for the District of St. Croix effective August 30. The designation allows the Government to maintain the coordinated deployment of resources already underway while the water distribution system continues its recovery.
“This action does not mean conditions are worsening,” Governor Bryan said. “It means we are keeping the full weight of the Government’s resources available until the system is stabilized and the immediate needs of affected residents have been addressed.”
The Administration will continue coordinating with WAPA and its agency partners and will adjust response operations as water pressure and service improve.
Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring official updates from the Government of the Virgin Islands, VITEMA and WAPA regarding water service conditions and water distribution operations.
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