PRASA chief: Superaqueduct repairs on pace despite extent of 3rd break

 The third break in the Superaqueduct water pipeline, which was detected Saturday, is separate from the first two break points discovered and “is more complex than those initially identified, requiring additional work to stabilize and rebuild the affected segment,” Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority Executive President Luis González Delgado said.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) Executive President Luis González Delgado said Monday that the repair of the 72-inch Superaqueduct water pipeline in Bayamón was still expected to be completed that same night, even though a third break identified on Saturday turned out to be more extensive.

“Our technical and specialized personnel continue to work around the clock to complete the repair safely and reliably,” González Delgado said in a written statement.

The third break was detected during Saturday’s operations and, according to PRASA, is a separate failure from the first two points discovered; those earlier points involved minor damage and were already in an advanced stage of repair at midday on Monday.

“The assessment confirms that this third failure is more complex than those initially identified, requiring additional work to stabilize and rebuild the affected segment,” González Delgado said.

According to the public utility, the force of the water and the structural weight of the pipe caused the joints in the third identified segment to shift; consequently, the affected section moved downward due to terrain conditions and the weight of the infrastructure.

The PRASA chief said the target for completing repairs and beginning the system’s operational recovery remained Monday night, provided no further issues arise.

Upon completion of the work, the recovery process was to begin, and service was to be gradually restored to the affected communities, according to PRASA.

As part of its mitigation measures, the public utility reported that it has distributed over 3.5 million gallons of potable water to the impacted areas.

PRASA has been operating 11 filling stations across the island to supply municipal crews, government agencies and private tanker trucks. Four of those stations operate 24 hours a day.