Press Releases

LBJ PUMP STATION BACK ONLINE FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL FORCE MAIN REPAIRS; PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORIES REMAIN IN EFFECT

St. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) — The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) advises the community that as of 2:35 a.m. Sunday, August 30, 2026, the LBJ Pump Station is back online following the successful completion of repairs to the collapsed force main that transfers sewage from the LBJ Pump Station to the Fig Tree Pump Station and ultimately to the Harold G. Thompson, Jr. Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The restoration of the LBJ Pump Station is a significant step toward bringing much-needed relief to wastewater conditions affecting downtown Christiansted and the LBJ/Condo Row area. VIWMA crews will continue to closely monitor the wastewater system and affected areas as conditions stabilize following the repair and restoration of pump station operations.

The force main is the sole pathway for conveying sewage from the LBJ Pump Station, which services the Christiansted area, through the wastewater system. Its collapse resulted in a significant sanitary sewer overflow beginning at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026, placing severe strain on the system and affecting downtown Christiansted and the LBJ/Condo Row coastline.

While the force main repairs have been successfully completed and the LBJ Pump Station is back online, all previously issued public health and safety advisory instructions remain in effect until further notice as VIWMA continues to monitor conditions in the affected areas.

Residents, businesses, liveaboard residents, boaters, and others in and around the affected coastal area are urged to continue exercising caution. Water in the affected area may have been contaminated by the sanitary sewer overflow, and exposure to untreated wastewater may pose health risks.

Until further notice, the public is strongly advised to:

· Avoid swimming in the affected waters.

· Avoid fishing in the affected area.

· Keep pets away from the affected water and do not allow them to enter or drink from it.

· Do not allow children to play in or near affected water.

· Do not drink or otherwise consume water from the affected area.

· Avoid direct contact with wastewater or potentially contaminated coastal water.

These precautions should remain in place until the community is advised that conditions have improved and the advisory has been lifted. The public should also continue to adhere to all posted signs, barricades, and directives issued by VIWMA.

VIWMA crews remain actively engaged in monitoring the wastewater system and surrounding areas to ensure conditions continue to stabilize following the repair and restoration of the LBJ Pump Station. The Authority will provide additional updates as information becomes available and will notify the community when the advisory can safely be lifted.

VIWMA extends its sincere appreciation to the dedicated members of the VIWMA team, contractor, and our partners at the Office of the Governor, VITEMA, WAPA, DPNR, Kiewit, Haugland Virgin Islands, and all of the other agencies involved for their collaboration, technical expertise, responsiveness, and commitment throughout this critical response. The collective efforts and coordination of these teams were instrumental in supporting the successful repair of the force main and restoration of the LBJ Pump Station.

VIWMA sincerely apologizes to residents, businesses, liveaboard residents, and the broader Christiansted community for the inconvenience and concern caused by this infrastructure failure. We appreciate the community’s patience, cooperation, and understanding as our teams worked diligently to complete these critical repairs and restore the wastewater system.

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 340-715-9100 for St. Thomas/St. John or 340-712-4962 for St. Croix. Stay connected with VIWMA on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates.

For more information, feel free to email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 340‑715‑9100 for St. Thomas or 340‑712‑4962 for St. Croix. Stay connected with VIWMA on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates.

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08-30-2026

SERVICE UPDATE: PETER'S REST CONVENIENCE CENTER OPERATIONS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

SSt. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands — The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) advises the public that the Peter’s Rest Convenience Center (PRCC) is temporarily closed due to weather-related conditions affecting waste collection and disposal operations.

Recent rainfall has created extremely muddy conditions at the Anguilla Landfill, preventing VIWMA collection vehicles and other heavy equipment from safely accessing portions of the facility. As a result, VIWMA is temporarily unable to service and remove waste from the Peter’s Rest Convenience Center (PRCC).

Residents are asked not to bring waste to PRCC until further notice. Household waste may instead be taken to the following locations:

· Cotton Valley Bin Site

· Mon Bijou Bin Site

· Concordia Bin Site

VIWMA is monitoring conditions and will reopen Peter’s Rest Convenience Center as soon as the landfill can be safely accessed and normal service can resume.

We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation during this temporary disruption.

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08-30-2026

LBJ PUMP STATION OFFLINE DUE TO BROKEN FORCE MAIN PIPE

(St. Croix, USVI) – The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) informs the community that the LBJ Pump Station is currently offline due to a broken force main pipe, resulting in wastewater overflow in the vicinity of the One Love Service Station located in Orange Grove near the Golden Rock area and the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Terrace Housing Community in Christiansted.

VIWMA’s contractor is working diligently to complete the necessary repairs and restore normal service as quickly and safely as possible. During this time, motorists are advised that traffic will be detoured at the Pueblo Supermarket intersection traffic light. The Authority urges the public to proceed with caution, reduce speed, and follow all directions provided by road crews and traffic personnel on-site.

Motorists and pedestrians are urged to exercise caution, as wastewater runoff may contain contaminants or pollutants that pose potential health risks. Residents should avoid using the sidewalk between JFK and Pueblo Supermarket, as well as areas with visible runoff, including gutters, puddles, manholes, drainage basins, and any locations that appear discolored or emit foul odors.

The Authority understands the inconvenience this situation may cause and appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as we work to resolve the issue. VIWMA remains committed to providing reliable wastewater services and safeguarding public health and the environment.

For more information, please contact the Division of Education and Communications Management at 340-474-2811 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Stay connected with us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates.

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08-24-2026

VIWMA ISSUES ADVISORY UPDATE FOR MAJOR WASTEWATER OVERFLOW AFFECTING DOWNTOWN CHRISTIANSTED AND LBJ/CONDO ROW

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) — The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) advises the community that due to the collapse of the force main that transfers all sewage from the LBJ Pump Station to the Fig Tree Pump Station—and ultimately to the Harold G. Thompson, Jr. Wastewater Treatment Plant—a significant sanitary sewer overflow began at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The LBJ Pump Station services the entire Christiansted area, and the force main is the sole pathway for conveying sewage out of downtown Christiansted and through the wastewater system. With the force main out of service, there is no alternative method to move sewage from LBJ to Fig Tree, resulting in a critical wastewater overflow impacting the core of downtown Christiansted. This infrastructure failure has placed severe strain on the system and has prompted urgent response efforts to stabilize conditions and mitigate impacts on the downtown area.

As part of this temporary response, wastewater conditions at the LBJ Pump Station have affected the LBJ/Condo Row coastline. These impacts result from the sanitary sewer overflow and the compromised force main—not from any intentional bypass into the ocean.

Service at the LBJ Pump Station is expected to be restored by the end of this weekend. VIWMA crews are working diligently toward restoration while continuing to address wastewater conditions affecting the downtown Christiansted area.

Residents, businesses, liveaboard residents, boaters, and others in and around the affected coastal area are urged to exercise caution. Water in the affected area may be contaminated by the sanitary sewer overflow, and exposure to untreated wastewater may pose health risks.

Until further notice, the public is strongly advised to:

· Avoid swimming in the affected waters.

· Avoid fishing in the affected area.

· Keep pets away from the affected water and do not allow them to enter or drink from it.

· Do not allow children to play in or near affected water.

· Do not drink or otherwise consume water from the affected area.

· Avoid direct contact with wastewater or potentially contaminated coastal water.

These precautions should remain in place for the duration of the overflow event and until the community is advised that conditions have improved. The public is also advised to adhere to all posted signs, barricades, and directives issued by VIWMA.

VIWMA crews are working diligently to address wastewater conditions, minimize impacts to the surrounding communities and coastal environment, and rectify the situation as quickly and safely as possible. The affected areas are being monitored, and VIWMA will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

VIWMA sincerely apologizes to residents, businesses, liveaboard residents, and the broader Christiansted community for the inconvenience and concern this situation has caused. We recognize the impact these conditions may have on those who live, work, and play in the affected areas, and we appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as our teams work toward a resolution.

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08-28-2026

CRUZ BAY PUMP STATION TEMPORARILY OFFLINE

(St. John, USVI) – The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) advises the community that the Cruz Bay Pump Station is temporarily offline due to mechanical issues, resulting in wastewater overflow in the Cruz Bay area.

VIWMA's wastewater crews are working diligently to complete the necessary repairs and restore normal service as quickly and safely as possible. The Authority urges the public to proceed with caution, reduce speed, and follow all directions provided by road crews and traffic personnel on-site.

Motorists and pedestrians are urged to exercise caution, as wastewater runoff may contain contaminants or pollutants that pose potential health risks. Residents should avoid areas with visible runoff, including gutters, puddles, manholes, drainage basins, and any locations that appear discolored or emit foul odors.

The Authority understands the inconvenience this situation may cause and appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as we work to resolve this issue. VIWMA remains committed to providing reliable wastewater services and safeguarding public health and the environment.

For more information, feel free to email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 340 715 9100 for St. Thomas or 340 712 4962 for St. Croix. Stay connected with VIWMA on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates.

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08-24-2026

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