Government acknowledges water service failures

Public Affairs Secretary Hiram Torres Montalvo.

By The Star Staff

La Fortaleza Public Affairs Secretary Hiram Torres Montalvo confirmed Tuesday that the government is investigating whether private companies may be responsible for a major pipeline break that disrupted water service across the San Juan metropolitan area.

“We are aware of the situation and it is currently under investigation. If it is determined that private entities caused the damage, they may be held financially accountable,” Torres Montalvo said at a press conference.

The rupture occurred in a 54-inch main pipe connected to the Sergio Cuevas water treatment plant, leading to service interruptions in large areas of San Juan, Carolina, and Loíza. Although the physical repair was completed in about six hours, service restoration has been slow, and some customers remain without water.

“The Governor understands that this is a top priority for the people of Puerto Rico. There’s no room for error, water and electricity are essential services,” Torres Montalvo emphasized.

The secretary also addressed criticism over poor communication between the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) and local mayors, a concern voiced by the mayor of Loíza and several legislators. He said a meeting was held Monday to improve communication channels with municipal and legislative leaders, and to ensure more timely information sharing moving forward.

“There are cases unrelated to this specific incident, such as low pressure issues in parts of Loíza and Corozal, that are also under investigation for prompt repair,” he said, noting that PRASA personnel are manually inspecting areas like Santurce and Old San Juan to identify any closed valves.

Regarding recent leadership changes at PRASA following the primary elections, Torres Montalvo denied any political motivation. “It would be inconceivable for someone to jeopardize a vital service like water over a political primary. We are here to serve the public, not play politics,” he stated.

Torres Montalvo added that 98.7 percent of customers now have water service restored, but acknowledged that isolated issues persist. “We’re focused on results. The investigation will continue and necessary actions will be taken,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo signed an executive order Monday declaring a state of emergency in the capital city due to prolonged water service interruptions.

“Access to water is a basic and essential need, not a privilege. What’s happening in San Juan is unacceptable—thousands of families have gone weeks without reliable access to clean water,” Romero Lugo said in a written statement.

According to the mayor, entire communities have suffered ongoing outages for the past three weeks, affecting households, care centers, municipal facilities, businesses, and elderly homes. The problem was exacerbated by structural failures, including the recent break in the 54-inch pipeline carrying water from the Carraízo reservoir.

The emergency order, which takes effect immediately, authorizes the city to deploy resources to ensure access to potable water through water trucks, fixed water distribution points, mobile routes, and targeted assistance for vulnerable populations. It also empowers the municipal finance director to allocate up to 10% of the operational budget to manage the emergency.

Romero Lugo said the order was issued under Puerto Rico’s Municipal Code and its regulations, allowing flexibility in procurement and contracting procedures. Emergency mitigation plans have already been activated by the city’s Emergency Management Office.

The municipality urged residents to call (787) 480-2020 to report urgent issues or request assistance.