Water production levels at the V.I. Water and Power Authority’s (WAPA’s) water plant on St. Croix remained at normal levels on Tuesday, July 26, as the joint effort continues between the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prevent the large influx of Sargassum seaweed from disrupting normal water production on that island.
The scope of the federal declaration is limited to actions taken by the federal government at the request of the territory to protect the offshore water intake operations in Estate Richmond so it can continue operating at normal levels.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. continues to advise St. Croix residents and businesses to conserve water as they can.
Decaying Sargassum creates hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which is a colorless gas with a strong odor of rotten eggs that can cause wide range of health effects, including irritation to the eyes and respiratory system. The effects depend on how much hydrogen sulfide a person breathes, the concentration of H₂S, how long the person breathes it and the person’s general health. For more detailed information, visit the Department of Health webpage at https://doh.vi.gov.
The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs has clarified that while the current Sargassum State of Emergency is in effect territory-wide, the price freeze currently in place for water products and services applies only to St. Croix.
For accurate and updated information regarding the WAPA water plant on St. Croix and the Sargassum State of Emergency, go to the Government of the Virgin Islands Joint Information Center at https://vi.gov/jic/
