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