Water outage.
- Thread starter Max1030
- Start date
KevinS
Senior Insider
From President Xavier Lédée, as translated by Google:
Following the reservoir rupture and the shutdown of water production, the mobilization remains strong.
The conditions are now in place to allow for continuous work: I have requested the lifting of time restrictions so that the project can progress 24/7.
Thank you to Guadeloupe for the delivery of essential technical equipment to bolster the resources already deployed.
Securing the second reservoir is complete. On-site work will begin with an absolute priority: the water networks.
The project is complex, but the determination is equal to the challenge. Operations continue relentlessly, day and night.
Thank you all, together.
Following the reservoir rupture and the shutdown of water production, the mobilization remains strong.
The conditions are now in place to allow for continuous work: I have requested the lifting of time restrictions so that the project can progress 24/7.
Thank you to Guadeloupe for the delivery of essential technical equipment to bolster the resources already deployed.
Securing the second reservoir is complete. On-site work will begin with an absolute priority: the water networks.
The project is complex, but the determination is equal to the challenge. Operations continue relentlessly, day and night.
Thank you all, together.
KevinS
Senior Insider
From the Collectivité 2 hours ago: “Water is gradually returning to the territory”
I don’t know just what “gradually returning” means. I‘m guessing that it will take time to repressurize the distribution network and refill the various storage tanks in different parts of the island.
I don’t know just what “gradually returning” means. I‘m guessing that it will take time to repressurize the distribution network and refill the various storage tanks in different parts of the island.
KevinS
Senior Insider
OK, here’s a bit more information. This is an article posted by Le Journal de St Barth, as translated by Google. If you want to read the original article in French you can find it on their website under Actualités. https://www.journaldesaintbarth.com/
A CALL FOR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AS THE WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK IS GRADUALLY RESTORED
June 20, 2026
Water is flowing back into the taps on the island. At least, in some of them. Repairs undertaken at the Sidem industrial site, following the rupture of one of Public's buffer tanks on Saturday, June 13, are complete. This Saturday morning, June 20, the restoration of water service began in the lower-lying areas of the island, with the first objective being to refill the Colombier reservoir. Throughout the gradual restoration of the distribution network, the entire population is urged to act responsibly by using water sparingly.
In an online post, the president of the territorial council, Xavier Lédée, explained that he hoped for a resumption of water service "in the early afternoon," specifying that it "will be gradual."
Willy Lachtman, director for the French Antilles and French Guiana at Saur, reiterated the constraints related to the network restoration operations. "Technically, it's important to do things gradually," he emphasized. "Water isn't like electricity. You can't just press a button to provide water to the entire population. We have to avoid pipe bursts and network breaks, which would be very detrimental to the population. So we're opening it up gradually. We're filling the lower-lying areas first. Once the network is fully repressurized, we'll be able to restore service to the higher sections. So, you should expect the water supply to be restored to the higher areas in several days."
“Water supply cut off in case of excessive consumption
Furthermore, President Lédée indicates that a water quality order has been issued. “After an event like this, tests need to be carried out,” explains the elected official. “These tests will be conducted starting Monday by teams from the Regional Health Agency (ARS). They require a week of processing and analysis before the results are available.” Xavier Lédée states that it is “strictly forbidden to stockpile water” and warns: “We have already agreed with Saur that any excessive consumption detected on the network will result in a water supply being cut off for the meter in question until the network stabilizes.” Throughout the phase of restoring the water supply to the network and the gradual resumption of distribution, the public is urged to exercise moderation and responsibility in their consumption. This is to ensure the continuous restoration of water to all households on the island.
A CALL FOR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AS THE WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK IS GRADUALLY RESTORED
June 20, 2026
Water is flowing back into the taps on the island. At least, in some of them. Repairs undertaken at the Sidem industrial site, following the rupture of one of Public's buffer tanks on Saturday, June 13, are complete. This Saturday morning, June 20, the restoration of water service began in the lower-lying areas of the island, with the first objective being to refill the Colombier reservoir. Throughout the gradual restoration of the distribution network, the entire population is urged to act responsibly by using water sparingly.
In an online post, the president of the territorial council, Xavier Lédée, explained that he hoped for a resumption of water service "in the early afternoon," specifying that it "will be gradual."
Willy Lachtman, director for the French Antilles and French Guiana at Saur, reiterated the constraints related to the network restoration operations. "Technically, it's important to do things gradually," he emphasized. "Water isn't like electricity. You can't just press a button to provide water to the entire population. We have to avoid pipe bursts and network breaks, which would be very detrimental to the population. So we're opening it up gradually. We're filling the lower-lying areas first. Once the network is fully repressurized, we'll be able to restore service to the higher sections. So, you should expect the water supply to be restored to the higher areas in several days."
“Water supply cut off in case of excessive consumption
Furthermore, President Lédée indicates that a water quality order has been issued. “After an event like this, tests need to be carried out,” explains the elected official. “These tests will be conducted starting Monday by teams from the Regional Health Agency (ARS). They require a week of processing and analysis before the results are available.” Xavier Lédée states that it is “strictly forbidden to stockpile water” and warns: “We have already agreed with Saur that any excessive consumption detected on the network will result in a water supply being cut off for the meter in question until the network stabilizes.” Throughout the phase of restoring the water supply to the network and the gradual resumption of distribution, the public is urged to exercise moderation and responsibility in their consumption. This is to ensure the continuous restoration of water to all households on the island.
le_reve
Senior Insider
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ
Saint-Barthélemy, Saturday, June 20, 2026
REPAIRS COMPLETED: THE RESTORATION OF WATER SERVICE TO THE TERRITORY HAS BEGUN
The repair work carried out at the SIDEM site is now finished and was completed within the announced timeframe.
The refilling of the Colombier reservoir is currently underway, and the resumption of water distribution across the territory began today. As indicated since the beginning of the crisis, this return to normal will be gradual in order to allow stabilization of the network and the progressive filling of the various reservoirs.
SIDEM and SAUR are currently proceeding with a gradual return to service of the installations in order to avoid any risk of pipeline rupture or incidents on the network. The sectors located in the lower parts of the territory will be supplied first as a priority. The highest sectors will progressively regain access to water over the coming days as the network is gradually repressurized.
Pending the regulatory analyses that will be carried out by the Regional Health Agency (ARS) beginning Monday, the distributed water remains considered non-potable (not safe for drinking). An official order has been issued to this effect. The results of these analyses will not be known until after several days of processing and expert evaluation.
In order to guarantee the stability of the network and equitable access to water for everyone, it is strictly forbidden to build up water reserves. Any excessive consumption observed on the network may result in a temporary suspension of water service to the concerned meter until complete stabilization of the system.
The President of the Territorial Council, Mr. Xavier Lédée, commends the exemplary mobilization of all the teams of the Collectivité, the delegated operators, the companies involved, as well as all the partners engaged in managing this crisis. Their commitment made it possible to complete the work within a particularly constrained timeframe and to reduce the duration of the disruptions as much as possible.
The President also wishes to warmly thank the population of Saint-Barthélemy for its patience, understanding, and sense of responsibility throughout this episode. Despite the difficulties encountered, residents demonstrated resilience and solidarity, thereby contributing to the smooth running of the operations.
The coming days will remain decisive in completing the return to normal. Everyone is invited to continue their efforts, comply with the instructions currently in force, and demonstrate civic responsibility in order to allow the complete stabilization of the network under the best possible conditions.
