Brown Water Crisis on St. Croix: Lawmakers Call for State of Emergency Declaration

As residents of St. Croix grapple with persistent issues of brown, undrinkable water flowing from their taps, lawmakers are calling for a state of emergency declaration to address the crisis.

WAPA CEO Andrew Smith, in a detailed discussion with the Senate Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure, and Planning, attributed the problem to the island's aging water system, which includes pipes that are 60 years old or more. These iron pipes are deteriorating and leaching rust into the water supply, a situation exacerbated by drought conditions that have left WAPA's water tanks at dangerously low levels—some falling below 50%.

Although Federal Emergency Management System (FEMA) has committed to replacing the island's entire wastewater system, residents face immediate challenges, including persistent odors and the potential for costly utility-scale filtration systems. Senators Alma Francis-Heyliger and Samuel Carrion are urging quick action, pointing out that federal resources could be tapped to assist the community.

“The age of the St. Croix water system is at the core of the source of brown water on St. Croix,” Mr. Smith told lawmakers. "The bulk of the brown water is due to the deterioration of the pipes and sediment ending up in the water from the iron in the pipes," he added, noting that low water inventory has exacerbated the problem.

“Due to the drought, WAPA’s water tanks are currently only about 50% full with some tanks having fallen below 50% over the past several weeks before being recently restored,” Mr. Smith further stated. “The current low inventory levels result in lower water pressure, resulting in lower water flow volumes and thus increase discoloration."