ST. CROIX — St. Croix’s potable water system continued to recover over the weekend, with islandwide inventory increasing from approximately 31 percent to 38 percent as the V.I. Water and Power Authority boosted production to rebuild supply amid prolonged drought conditions, according to the government’s Joint Information Center.
As additional water enters the system and pressure improves across the distribution network, WAPA says customers in higher-elevation areas of Frederiksted who previously experienced little or no service should begin seeing continued improvement. However, the authority cautioned that some customers may still experience low pressure or intermittent service, particularly in high-elevation West End communities including North Carlton Road, Estate Two Williams, Mars Hill and portions of La Grange.
The acknowledgment that Mars Hill may continue experiencing service problems comes after residents of the Mars Hill/Wheel of Fortune area told The Consortium that they had gone months without reliable pipe-borne water. One resident said the community had experienced recurring pressure problems for years, but that 2026 had been particularly severe, with little or no usable water since May.
WAPA has attributed recent system problems to a combination of drought-driven production challenges and leaks throughout the distribution network. The authority is continuing to increase potable water production in an effort to replenish storage while meeting elevated demand associated with the prolonged dry conditions.
Despite the improving inventory, WAPA’s boil-water advisory remains in effect. The authority said the precaution will continue while it rebuilds inventory, restores optimal pressure throughout the system and performs water-quality testing and monitoring.
Customers are being advised not to consume water from the distribution system without first boiling it. Water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or similar household purposes should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then allowed to cool before use. Bottled water may be used instead. WAPA said it will notify the public when testing and system conditions support lifting the advisory.
The St. Croix potable water standpipe also remains available Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. It will stay closed on weekends so WAPA can use that time to replenish water inventory within the system.
Residents are meanwhile being urged to continue conserving water as the system recovers. WAPA is asking customers to postpone nonessential uses such as washing vehicles, pressure washing and watering lawns, while also avoiding unnecessary running water.
Customers experiencing water-service problems can contact WAPA at 340-773-2250, ext. 3065, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or submit a report using the authority’s online outage and problem-reporting system.
