Governor launches well-reactivation plan

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón)

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico government is moving to expand its drought‑response strategy by restoring water production capacity at the source, even as emergency distribution measures continue across the island. 

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has requested authorization to use $9.7 million from the Emergency Reserve to evaluate and rehabilitate five public wells, while the Financial Oversight and Management Board has separately approved a 21‑day extension of emergency funding for ongoing drought‑response activities.

In a letter to the oversight board’s executive director, Robert F. Mujica Jr., the governor asked for access to the Emergency Reserve to support rapid evaluations, design work, rehabilitation and potential reactivation of five wells: Dorado Dairy Nos. 1 and 2, Maguayo No. 2, Campanilla No. 8 and Levittown No. 4. The wells, currently inactive, could collectively supply up to five million gallons of potable water per day if deemed safe and compliant by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) and the Department of Health.

González Colón emphasized that the request is not a blanket authorization for new groundwater extraction or indiscriminate pumping. Instead, she described it as a controlled emergency measure aimed at recovering previously existing production capacity while Puerto Rico remains under an islandwide water emergency declared July 31 under Executive Order OE‑2026‑035. The order cited significantly reduced rainfall and declining reservoir levels, directing agencies to prioritize mitigation efforts and identify available state and federal funding.

To support the well‑reactivation plan, the governor also signed Executive Order 2026‑044, amending the original emergency declaration to incorporate additional infrastructure measures. The order authorizes PRASA, the DNER and the Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority to undertake all necessary contracting, procurement and technical work to expand, recover or diversify potable water availability. Measures may include rehabilitation of existing wells, development of new wells, installation of filtration systems, auxiliary pumping at reservoirs, replacement of motors and electrical systems, installation of temporary or permanent pipelines, and establishment of interconnections between systems.

The governor’s request comes as the oversight board confirmed recently that it extended access to the Emergency Reserve for drought‑response activities for an additional 21 days, through Sept. 10, 2026. The extension was granted in an Aug. 26 letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Executive Director Orlando Rivera Berríos.

According to the board, during the initial 15‑day authorization period, agencies reported $7.5 million in eligible expenditures, with $18.7 million pending review and additional costs still being finalized through procurement processes. The extension allows OMB and agencies to complete eligibility evaluations, obtain quotations and validate documentation without interrupting emergency operations.

The oversight board’s authorization -- capped at $18.73 million -- covers measures outlined in Executive Order OE‑2026‑036, including potable water distribution via tanker trucks, mobile purification systems, temporary distribution centers and related logistics needed to preserve essential services and protect public health.

The board reiterated that the Emergency Reserve is intended for extraordinary events beyond the government’s immediate budget capacity, particularly when federal disaster assistance is unavailable or delayed. No disbursements will be allowed after Sept. 10 unless the government requests and receives an additional extension.

As drought conditions persist, the government said its dual strategy -- maintaining emergency distribution while restoring production capacity -- aims to stabilize Puerto Rico’s potable water supply and strengthen long‑term resiliency.