CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ALERT: LBJ Pump Station Offline Following Wastewater Force Main Break Near Kennedy Area

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands — Residents across St. Croix are being urged to exercise extreme caution tonight following an unexpected wastewater force main break in the vicinity of the LBJ Pump Station near the Kennedy area. 

The major municipal infrastructure incident was formally reported on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m. According to advisory details released by the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA), the ruptured pipeline is situated within a vegetated area away from the main roadway, preventing immediate traffic disruptions. However, the operational fallout is severe: the LBJ Pump Station has been forced completely offline while emergency response crews from VIWMA's Wastewater Division mobilize to locate and access the heavily compromised underground section. 

Local authorities have cautioned that restoring normal operations will not happen overnight. Due to the deep underground placement of the infrastructure, cleanup and engineering teams estimate it will take approximately two days simply to pinpoint and clear access to the damaged pipe. As of Sunday evening, a definitive timeline for completing structural repairs and fully bringing the pump station back online has not yet been established. 

VIWMA officials are actively coordinating response efforts with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) to monitor environmental impacts and manage containment. 

In light of the offline status of the pumping station and the environmental exposure of the rupture, community members and local business operators in the surrounding zones are strongly advised to:

• ​Avoid Contact: Refrain from any direct contact with standing or flowing wastewater in the area.

• ​Report Incidents: Immediately report any unusual wastewater conditions, overflows, or infrastructure failures directly to the Authority.

• ​Exercise Vigilance: Practice heightened caution when traveling or working near the Kennedy area utility zones.

 VIWMA states that it will continue monitoring the situation around the clock and will issue further bulletins as new operational data becomes available.