USVI-On-Line

We have been in increasingly dry conditions the last few weeks, it shows dramatically in the very brown hillsides which are also shedding leaves, and I have read of some water restrictions - a poster on another forum that isn't allowed to use the washing machines in the rental villa - WAPA stating in the newspaper that the reserves are getting depleted and restricting water truck loadings - a week long wait for any deliveries with some companies - a local builder told me this weekend his supplier wouldn't fill a pool, only cisterns, until things get better - I know burn permits have been stopped on STX which had a few serious large brush fires lately and STT.
Locals are always aware of our cistern levels and commonly institute stronger than usual restrictive resolve in our homes when it gets low - especially if we know it might be days until we can get a truck delivery.
I know visitors fret constantly about weather forecasts of rain but there are probably 100,000 VI residents praying hard for rain right now.
Have any of the villa management companies issued any directives that encourage extra conservation or other restrictions? I do realize that most of the irrigation and landscaping systems only use Gray Water. This belies the fact that the fresh water supply may be very low since the surroundings are lush .

Oh boy, I suspect not being able to do laundry might be an issue for some people.

As an aside, am I the only one who wonders why villas don't have enough towel bars and outside lines to dry bath and beach towels?

I remember a while back (like months ago) someone posting about a rental with a very strongly worded statement about not running the cistern dry.

I grew up in a house with a very fickle well. We had to be extremely conservative during dry summers so I "get" it when we are on STJ but I can imagine someone who grew up with public water (or unlimited well water) not having a clue about just how important it is to conserve on STJ.

You know coming from a resort area, I always appreciate when visitors respect and help to preserve the local environment. Hanging out towells is one way to conserve(try hangers on the railing when there is not enough towel racks). I like the idea of wetting down, soaping up and quickly rincing off during the shower as well. (If you can handle a bowl bath every so often, do that and then use the water to flush the toilet). What are some of the things that some of you do to conserve?

ExitZero I have never stayed in a Villa so I can't answer that. I do want to share with you our experience. Our first visit we stayed at Concordia. There was a binder in our tent that explained the water, the electricity, and even the composting toilet.
Then they explain about their building philosophy. It was very interesting, and eye opening. The next year we stayed at Cinnamon Bay campground. There was nothing about anything. No education about any of it. My husband and I have were shocked. They Never even mentioned conserving water. We have stayed at 2 other places since and both had material to educate the guests about water and other island issues. Cinnamon Bay Campground should really step up.

The Radar, the Chocolate Hole webcam and Spicecam all show some showers going on now -- hopefully they will get serious during the afternoon and evening.

we had rain in the early morning hours and then again around 1:00 today. our villa manager shared the drought info (we already knew- thanks to the Forum and good friends) and since we have been here before we know how precious water is to the island. We were glad to see the shower- we got our snorkeling done in between them!