The V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs has announced a price freeze on all items related to the production of water in the St. Croix District, effective from 12:00 p.m. today.
DLCA Commissioner Nominee, Nathalie Hodge, has stated that this includes general supplies and services crucial for water production. Items such as bottled water, water haulers, filters, and filtering systems, regardless of whether they are locally produced or imported, are now prohibited from being exported or sold outside of the St. Croix District.
This directive comes in the wake of Governor Albert Bryan Jr.'s declaration of a State of Emergency due to a compromised water provided by WAPA on St. Croix, which has tested positive for high levels of lead and copper.
As a part of this freeze, trucking fees for water distribution, along with other essential water-related services, are also restricted from being exported or sold outside the district until a subsequent order is issued to lift this protective embargo.
Merchants are mandated to maintain their standard delivery methods, terms, discounts, concessions, and payment methods for the above-mentioned supplies and services. Moreover, the sale price of these items and services must adhere to the fixed price, and they should not exceed this established cost. During this emergency period, merchants are also strictly prohibited from declining V.I. government vouchers.
DLCA says this initiative has been put in place to safeguard the welfare of the public during the emergency period and to curtail any speculative practices linked to essential water-related items during the recovery phase.
The department urged the public to report any price alterations concerning water or water-associated products post the issuance of this Price Freeze. Residents can report such discrepancies by reaching out to the DLCA Scam Line at 340.727.SCAM (7226).
