Governor orders full evaluation of Superaqueduct

“We must prioritize maintenance of our aqueduct system to avoid further vulnerabilities caused by decades without proper inspection and upkeep,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said Sunday, confirming that work is beginning on a full evaluation of the Superaqueduct, one of Puerto Rico’s most critical water supply systems. A damaged section of the Superaqueduct in Bayamón is seen above. (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón)

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced Sunday the launch of a comprehensive inspection of the island’s Superaqueduct, framing the move as an urgent step to confront the ongoing water crisis that has left communities across the island facing prolonged service interruptions.

“We must prioritize maintenance of our aqueduct system to avoid further vulnerabilities caused by decades without proper inspection and upkeep,” González Colón said as she confirmed that work is beginning on a full evaluation of the Superaqueduct, one of Puerto Rico’s most critical water supply systems.

The governor also directed the Department of Consumer Affairs to issue a price freeze order on bottled water, ice and other essential goods to prevent unjustified price increases during the emergency.

González Colón, joined by La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández, has also activated a broad interagency effort to support the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) and expand water distribution to affected communities.

Agencies assisting in the response include the departments of State, Family, Agriculture, Housing and Public Safety, as well as the Public Housing Administration, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Metropolitan Bus Authority, Vocational Rehabilitation Administration, Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau, Office of the Women’s Advocate and Puerto Rico Firefighters Bureau.

Other agencies -- including the Ports Authority, Public Buildings Authority, Energy Czar’s Office and the departments of Health and Transportation & Public Works -- have been tasked with ensuring continuity of public services and support logistics.

The governor emphasized that all agencies are working in coordination with PRASA “to address the emergency, accelerate service restoration, and ensure resources reach affected communities promptly.”

González Colón noted that the Superaqueduct, built more than 25 years ago, remains a cornerstone of the island’s potable water supply system, serving hundreds of thousands of residents. She credited former governor Pedro Rosselló for the project’s original vision but stressed that the system now requires a full diagnostic review.

“We have allocated over $7 billion to improve the system, and this will be complemented by a comprehensive evaluation of the Superaqueduct,” the governor said.

The decision follows recommendations from engineer Carlos Pesquera after recent failures in the system highlighted the need for updated assessments.

Pesquera argued that after a quarter century of operation, the Superaqueduct requires a detailed examination of its main components -- including the primary pipeline, joints, valves, river and creek crossings, electromechanical systems, and the cathodic protection system designed to prevent corrosion.

“This evaluation serves a dual purpose: dispelling unfounded concerns while establishing a corrective and preventive action plan,” Pesquera said. “In both cases, we gain certainty and peace of mind.”

He also noted that the recommendation aligns with comments made years earlier by Dr. Antonio Santiago Vázquez, one of the system’s principal architects, who had called for a “complete radiography” of the infrastructure.

The evaluation is expected to take between six and nine months and will produce a prioritized corrective action plan, cost estimates, and an implementation schedule. Pesquera highlighted the potential use of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to cover the study, particularly as major modernization projects continue at the Enrique Ortega, Sergio Cuevas and Los Filtros treatment plants.

“The governor has taken the correct step in adopting this recommendation,” Pesquera said. “Now it must be executed with the rigor and scope the system deserves -- and that its creator once urged.”

As Puerto Rico continues to grapple with widespread water shortages, the administration is positioning the Superaqueduct evaluation as a foundational step toward long-term stability in the island’s water infrastructure.