Bryan declared state of emergency on St. Croix over water contamination concerns

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed an executive order on Oct. 30, 2023, declaring a state of emergency in the St. Croix District in response to elevated levels of contaminants in the island’s water distribution system.

The order named Health Commissioner Justa "Tita" Encarnacion and Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol as co-incident commanders to direct the territorial response and enforce the order.

The Department of Health and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources were designated co-lead agencies for emergency response activities, working with the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency and the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. The co-incident commanders and the VITEMA director were directed to advise the Office of the Governor on implementation of the response.

Government House said the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs had issued a price freeze for bottled water and other water products. It also said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was working with DPNR and WAPA to assess, sample, monitor and review sites where contaminants might be present and determine what repairs were needed.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-declares-state-of-emergency-in-response-to-st-croix-water-quality-compromise/