Governor appoints overseer for PRASA

Engineer Carlos Ignacio Pesquera

By The Star Staff

Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González Colón announced Wednesday she will not remove Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) Executive Director Luis González Delgado, despite growing criticism over the water crisis. Instead, she appointed engineer Carlos Ignacio Pesquera as a special coordinator to stabilize water supply in key areas, including San Juan, Guaynabo, and Isla Verde.

“This isn’t about titles,” González Colón stated. “People want water, not politics.” While acknowledging she is “not satisfied” with the current system, she emphasized the need for continuity during the emergency: “I can’t behead an agency in the middle of a crisis.”

Pesquera, who helped create the Northern Superaqueduct in 1997, will assess technical failures, recommend solutions, and deliver a report within 10 days. He will have access to technical staff and report directly to the governor.

“This is about guaranteeing service,” she said. The governor also signed Executive Order 2025-044 to declare a state of emergency and activate the National Guard to help transport water. “Six tankers, twelve operators, and a supervisor will serve the most affected areas,” she confirmed.

González Colón underscored the structural decay in PRASA’s infrastructure, citing years of neglect. “We have a structural problem, and all agency heads are under evaluation.”

Ultimately, she said, her priority is getting water to homes, businesses, and condominiums, not protecting individuals: “Everyone is replaceable. What matters is solving the water crisis.”