Estimated water use in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, October 1983-September 1985

St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a land area of 82 square miles. The island is located about 60 miles east-southeast of Puerto Rico and about 40 miles south of St. Thomas and St. John (fig. 1). St. Croix has experienced a dramatic increase in its population over the last 25 years, growing from about 15,000 inhabitants in 1960 to about 54,000 in 1985 (personal communication, U.S. Virgin Islands Planning Office). Tourism development has also resulted in a large transient population with demands for services and facilities. The population and economic growth of St. Croix has resulted in a significant increase in the demand and supply of water (fig. 2).