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Bryan Declares St. Croix State of Emergency as Water System Recovery Continue

ST. CROIX — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has formally declared a state of emergency for St. Croix over ongoing water-service challenges, keeping the territory’s emergency operations structure, National Guard and other government resources mobilized while WAPA rebuilds water inventory and gradually restores pressure across the island. Executive Order No. 548-2026 makes the declaration effective August 30 and leaves it in place until the governor determines that the threat has passed or recovery has advanced enough that emergency authorities are no longer necessary. The order also suspends normal competitive-bidding procedures for purchases of goods and services related to distributing water to residents affected by low pressure. The action comes even as the conditions that triggered the latest water disruption have begun improving. WAPA resumed reverse-osmosis production at its Richmond facility Sunday evening after the V.I. Waste Management Authority repaired a ruptured wastewater for...