St. Croix water crisis

The St. Croix water crisis became a significant public health crisis in October 2023, following reports that tap water provided by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) was contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Triggered by aging infrastructure, inadequate corrosion control, and consistent interruption in the distribution and flushing system, the crisis has disproportionately affected vulnerable communities, particularly low-income Black residents. Following the contamination of the tap water supplied from the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) and Seven Seas Water, governmental intervention became necessary.