Water outage.
- Thread starter Max1030
- Start date
KevinS
Senior Insider
From the Collectivité:
Breakage of the SIDEM water tank - Situation
The Territorial Collective of Saint-Barthélemy informs the population that a major rupture occurred this Saturday, June 13, 2026 on a water reservoir of the SIDEM located in the Public neighborhood.
The incident is causing major disruptions to several critical infrastructures in the territory, including disruption of water production and distribution throughout the island. Emergency services, security and technical teams are fully mobilized to secure the area and restore services as soon as possible.
No pollution has been detected at this stage.
Health facilities have been placed on alert to ensure continuity of care.
Schools and the school catering service remain open and operate normally.
The Collectivité calls on everyone to limit their consumption of water and electricity as strictly necessary.
Find all the information and measures implemented in the official release below.
The Collectivité de Saint-Barthelemy will regularly communicate on the evolution of the situation.
Breakage of the SIDEM water tank - SituationThe Territorial Collective of Saint-Barthélemy informs the population that a major rupture occurred this Saturday, June 13, 2026 on a water reservoir of the SIDEM located in the Public neighborhood.
The incident is causing major disruptions to several critical infrastructures in the territory, including disruption of water production and distribution throughout the island. Emergency services, security and technical teams are fully mobilized to secure the area and restore services as soon as possible.
No pollution has been detected at this stage. Health facilities have been placed on alert to ensure continuity of care. Schools and the school catering service remain open and operate normally. The Collectivité calls on everyone to limit their consumption of water and electricity as strictly necessary. Find all the information and measures implemented in the official release below.The Collectivité de Saint-Barthelemy will regularly communicate on the evolution of the situation.
I appreciate such communication from the Collectivitie.From the Collectivité:
The Territorial Collective of Saint-Barthélemy informs the population that a major rupture occurred this Saturday, June 13, 2026 on a water reservoir of the SIDEM located in the Public neighborhood.
The incident is causing major disruptions to several critical infrastructures in the territory, including disruption of water production and distribution throughout the island. Emergency services, security and technical teams are fully mobilized to secure the area and restore services as soon as possible.
The Collectivité de Saint-Barthelemy will regularly communicate on the evolution of the situation.
le_reve
Senior Insider
Yes, sounds like a serious issue!
Do you have cistern water? If you do, you will need to switch it over, but I'm sure you've figured that out by now.
We have had no city water since February due to a big issue within our neighborhood that they are currently fixing. They basically had to dig up the entire street in front of our complex and replace all the water pipes to 12 villas. For the amount of work that has to be done, I have been very impressed with how quickly they have been working and the quality of the work. We got lucky and had water delivered last week to fill up our large cistern which should take us through the next month with care taken with how much we use.
Many others, I expect, remember — as I do — SBH before its desalination plant . . . when the sole water supply was cistern water. Upon arrival in those days, it was common to be counseled to only take a “sailor’s shower!” — running the water, i.e., long enough to get wet, then lathering soap & shampoo, without running water, until “clean.” The shower was turned on only for the time required to wash off the suds. Without “city water” in recent months, Tiffany, I can imagine that you & Scot have mastered the technique!
Many of the larger hotel properties have their own desalination plants.
DaveM
SBH Insider
Plenty of water here at Hotel Baie des Anges, in Flamands.
le_reve
Senior Insider
Took one of those this morning - - and, as the wife of an old-time sailor, I know these showers well! Also, Mr Rêve says dips in the pool count as a shower, too. lol
le_reve
Senior Insider
Following the collapse of the SIDEM water reservoir on Saturday, June 13, a crane and operators from the neighboring island of Saint Martin arrived on site that evening to assist with emergency response operations.
The removal of the concrete debris has begun and is proceeding under good conditions. Teams from the STIS (fire and rescue services) are fully mobilized to support and secure the work.
Initially, operations are focused on clearing the site. This preparatory phase will then allow the civil engineering work necessary to restore the facilities to begin. At this stage, the objective remains to resume water production within an estimated seven days.
Daycare facilities (MAM), schools, the school cafeteria, and the hospital will continue to receive water. The Department of Technical Services, under the joint authority of the President of the Territorial Council and the General Directorate of Services, remains fully mobilized to coordinate and carry out these essential operations.
Residents are asked to strictly respect the exclusion zone established around the incident site. Increased caution is also requested when traveling so as not to interfere with emergency services, which are already heavily engaged.
Despite the investments and modernization work carried out in recent years to strengthen the territory's infrastructure, this incident highlights the inherent vulnerability of island communities. It is reiterated that no injuries or fatalities have been reported.
Xavier Lédée, President of the Territorial Council, is calling on the population to demonstrate solidarity, patience, and responsibility during this exceptional period. He thanked all the teams and companies involved for their commitment.
The Collectivity will continue to provide regular updates on the situation and urges residents to act responsibly and conserve both water and electricity, limiting consumption to what is strictly necessary.
