La Plata customers expected to regain water service today as repair timeline shifts

In a revision of earlier projections, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority now expects water service for customers affected by the breakdown of a raw‑water extraction pump at the La Plata reservoir to begin recovering today.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) now expects water service for customers affected by the breakdown of a raw‑water extraction pump at the La Plata reservoir to begin recovering today, revising earlier projections that suggested some sectors might see improvements as early as Tuesday night.

PRASA said the replacement electronic component needed to repair the damaged pump was scheduled to arrive Tuesday at the workshop of the private contractor handling the job. Once delivered, the part must undergo assembly, testing and installation before the pump can be brought back online.

Because of that timeline, the public corporation ruled out the possibility of restoring service Tuesday night and said the recovery process will begin “at some point on Wednesday,” depending on how quickly the repair work advances.

The updated estimate followed comments made earlier by La Fortaleza Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano, who had indicated that some customers might begin receiving water between late Tuesday and early today. Peña Payano cautioned that “expectations must be managed,” noting that the emergency‑acquired component would arrive between midday and early afternoon Tuesday.

He added that the government coordinated direct delivery of the part to the contractor to avoid additional transport delays. The administration also purchased more than one unit of the electronic component to ensure redundancy in case the primary part fails during installation.

“We bought more than one so that, if it doesn’t work, we have some type of backup,” Peña Payano told reporters. He said the procurement also included components that will be needed for future repairs to other pumps in the La Plata system.

The malfunction has left one of the reservoir’s four pumping units out of service. PRASA reported Monday that the system is operating at roughly 70% of its normal capacity, producing about 50 million gallons per day, compared with the usual 70 million gallons.

The shortfall of some 20 million gallons daily has resulted in low pressure, intermittent service, or complete outages for 20,952 customers across San Juan, Guaynabo, Bayamón, Toa Alta, Toa Baja and Dorado.

The failure occurred after a voltage fluctuation knocked two pumps offline. One was restored quickly, but the second sustained damage to an electronic control component.

Once the repair is completed and the pump resumes operation, PRASA will need time to replenish tank levels and stabilize the distribution system. Full normalization will be gradual and will vary by sector, depending on elevation and demand.

Weather service to expand heat alerts to all of Puerto Rico

Ernesto Rodríguez, the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service in San Juan, announced on Tuesday that, starting Sept. 1, the agency will expand the issuance of heat advisories and excessive heat warnings to cover all of Puerto Rico, formally including central interior municipalities and western mountainous regions.

“Extreme heat is a constant danger beyond the coasts, reaching critical levels in valleys, urban zones, and mountainous areas,” Rodríguez stated in a written release explaining the reasons for extending alert coverage to the entire island.

Rodríguez explained that the decision followed an analysis of data from weather stations and Department of Health surveillance regarding patients treated for heat-related illnesses, as well as discussions with mayors and emergency managers.

The meteorologist noted that the conditions creating dangerous heat vary by region. In valleys, humidity can become trapped; in urban areas, concrete retains heat; and in mountainous regions, the sun beats down directly.

“These extreme conditions increase the risk of dehydration and heatstroke, primarily affecting vulnerable individuals who lack access to air conditioning or fans in their homes,” Rodríguez said.

While coastal zones will remain among the areas at highest risk, Rodríguez noted that the expansion will ensure all communities in Puerto Rico receive information during extreme heat events, allowing them to take timely preventive measures.