The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) updates residents of St. Croix regarding the recent water service interruptions and expresses our gratitude for your patience during this critical work.
On Oct. 24, starting at 5 p.m., scheduled connections of new customers, commonly known as tie-ins, caused low to no water pressure in various communities, including Richmond, Catherine’s Rest, Work and Rest, and others as previously noted. This outage was necessary to complete essential tie-ins near the Virgin Islands Territorial Public Health Laboratory and the Office of Emergency Medical Services Regulatory in Estate Richmond.
While the initial project concluded on time at approximately 11 p.m., additional critical upgrades to the water system, including the meter and valves, at the Federal Building led to delays in restoring normal water pressure for our water customers. We understand the inconvenience this has caused and sincerely apologize for the disruptions.
After their contractor completed the upgrades around 5 a.m., WAPA Water personnel quickly activated an additional pump station to improve service this morning. As a result, many customers began experiencing normal water pressure around 6:30 a.m. However, residents in elevated areas and those on the western portion of the island can expect normalized pressure within the next two hours.
We stress that this collaboration with their additional contractor to upgrade the water system at the Federal Building is essential for improving public health services in the Virgin Islands. We are committed to ensuring that the integrity and reliability of our water infrastructure continue to serve our community effectively.
As a reminder, after an extended water outage, please flush your water lines by running taps for several minutes. To extend the life of your filter, remove it before flushing and reinstall it afterward. This helps clear any sediment that may have accumulated in the lines and ensures the continued quality of your water.
Thank you for your continued support of our team and contractors as we work diligently to strengthen the reliability and effectiveness of our water systems.
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Communications Department is committed to reaching, informing, and connecting with the youngest members of the community to the eldest through meaningful, transparent and effective communication.
