Gov’t rules out water rationing for now despite a nearly 2-meter drop in La Plata reservoir
By THE STAR STAFF
The central government on Monday ruled out implementing a water rationing plan for the time being for the some 110,000 customers served by the La Plata reservoir, even though the lake’s water level has dropped by nearly two meters over the last month and it remains under severe drought conditions.
“For now -- at this moment -- that is not being considered,” Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana said in response to questions from the press following a meeting of the Drought Committee at La Fortaleza.
The official stated that authorities will await the results of rainfall forecast for early November before determining whether it is necessary to adopt new measures to conserve water in the reservoir.
“If it doesn’t rain, the appropriate measures would have to be taken -- as has been done on other occasions -- but at this moment, that decision has not been made,” Rivera Santana said.
Meteorologist Ernesto Rodríguez of the National Weather Service reported that the La Plata area remains in a severe drought, while some sectors in the southern, southwestern, and south-central parts of Puerto Rico continue to experience extreme drought conditions.
He noted that while between four and six inches of rain were recorded in parts of western Puerto Rico over the last two weeks, the La Plata watershed received less than half an inch.
“Over the last 30 days or so, the level has dropped by about 1.95 meters -- roughly two meters,” Rodríguez said while presenting data on the reservoir.
The meteorologist noted that the water level continues to fall by some 10 to 12 centimeters per day, and that the watershed has an accumulated rainfall deficit of between five and eight inches over the past two months. Rodríguez said that, unlike the Carraízo reservoir, the La Plata watershed is narrow and extends primarily from south to north; consequently, typical rain showers do not necessarily produce enough accumulation to restore its water level.
“We need weather systems like troughs or tropical waves -- which are what truly bring rain to that watershed -- rather than the typical rain showers that usually occur in Puerto Rico,” he said.
The forecast indicates a chance for more widespread rainfall early next between Nov. 2 and Nov. 4, when a trough could combine with a tropical wave. However, the meteorologist cautioned that this event might not be sufficient to end the drought conditions.
“It’s not as if we’re going to see enough rain to completely resolve the situation at La Plata, but it does appear that we will have somewhat more widespread rainfall, especially in November, across the Puerto Rico area,” Rodríguez said.
For his part, engineer Carlos Pesquera Morales stated that “there is at least a 30-day supply of water in La Plata, without the need to establish any service-control measures.”
He noted that any rainfall recorded over the coming weeks could extend this period and delay any decisions regarding supply restrictions.
Pesquera added that, back in August, some mayors of municipalities supplied by La Plata had requested preemptive reductions; however, the committee recommended against implementing them, and the system has continued to operate without such interruptions.
“There is no need for immediate action, but we must continue to exercise caution,” he said.
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) Executive President Luis Reinaldo González Delgado confirmed that the public corporation is maintaining the operational adjustments previously implemented at La Plata to manage water extraction and extend the availability of the resource.
La Plata supplies customers in parts of Bayamón, Cataño, Guaynabo, Toa Baja, Toa Alta, Naranjito, Corozal and Vega Alta.
By comparison, the Carraízo, Cidra, Toa Vaca, Río Blanco and Fajardo reservoirs are showing stable conditions or signs of recovery, according to a report provided by PRASA.
González Delgado added that PRASA is carrying out an intensive program to repair leaks. At the beginning of August, there were nearly 2,000 reports of leaks in the system across Puerto Rico -- a figure that dropped to some 1,000 during September.
