Should you drink the tap water in St john?
That is definitely a question to ask the property management of the place you are staying. Hopefully your villa will have a water treatment system. That system may include a triple filtration system of a combination of sediment filters and a UV bacteria light.
However, some rentals will tell you to buy bottled water if they do not have a water treatment system. If it is not somewhere in the description of the villa, be sure to ask ahead!
It’s important because water doesn’t come from a city treatment system or from a well. Homes are typically high on the mountain so it is to high (and full of rock) to dig for a wall. Therefore, water on St John is stored on the property site and likely comes from the following sources: either rain water collected at the villa (collected from the roof during rain then stored in the cistern); or from water (desalinated salt water) that is delivered by tanker truck to the villa location and emptied into the villa cistern.
Ideally, all homes would have water filtration systems, and the question about if the tap water is safe to drink at the villa would be solved. This may include several filters and or UV light that the water travels through before reaching the sink. Using the water to shower should be no problem. However, be sure to ask if it is ok to wash and brush your teeth, cook with the villa water, etc. because not all villas have potable water.
If you are searching for vacation rentals on St John, enter your dates to search for availability and book direct with the host!
Travel Insurance for U.S. Virgin Islands
We are pleased to offer travel insurance underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. as optional protection for unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your travel. It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance before you embark on your trip. If purchased within 14 days of your reservation, coverage for pre-existing health conditions are included. It provides coverage for all members of your traveling party for one nominal fee.