Jost Van Dyke residents can now purchase drinking water from a standpipe that began operating following weeks of supply disruptions caused by pipeline failures.
The shortages did not stem from insufficient water production, but from damage to the infrastructure delivering water from the treatment plant to storage, according to Minister for Communication and Works Kye Rymer. When a leak appeared in the main connection between the plant and reservoir, the Water and Sewerage Department's technical team responded by routing water directly into the distribution network as a temporary solution. That workaround failed when additional leaks broke out further along the distribution line, a consequence of the system's age, and service was interrupted.
Rymer stated that repairs have been completed. At a community meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, residents decided that a standpipe would serve as a dependable backup and safeguard against future outages. The facility sits near the Water and Sewerage Department office and operates Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
To buy water, residents should call the Water and Sewerage Department at 1 (284) 468-9429. Staff will record meter details, generate an invoice and handle payment following standard departmental procedures.
Rymer expressed gratitude for community patience as the Ministry pursues longer-term improvements to system reliability and durability on the island.
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