By The Star Staff
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) Executive President Doriel Pagán Crespo on Wednesday recommended moderating the consumption and use of water to maintain the levels of rivers and reservoirs given the dry spell the island is experiencing.
“We are observing a reduction in water supplies in both rivers and reservoirs, so we are reinforcing internal measures to reduce extraction and extend the levels of our water supplies,” the public official said in a written statement. “Likewise, we urge subscribers to become aware of the period of low rainfall by making controlled use of water in their homes, businesses and industries.
Pagán Crespo noted that by moderating water consumption, PRASA customers can extend the water reserve levels in the distribution tanks and, therefore, also help preserve the levels in the bodies of waters that feed the PRASA filtration plants.
“We continue to monitor the levels of raw water intakes in reservoirs and rivers, wells have been activated, pressures have been controlled and we have made internal operational adjustments that allow us to maintain service,” she added.
In the western region, the dam on the Culebrinas River in Aguadilla, which supplies the Montaña and Culebrinas filtration plants, is under observation, as is Guajataca reservoir.
The filtration plants under observation in the eastern region are Juncos Urbano and Jagual San Lorenzo.
“We monitor daily water supplies and watersheds to adjust work plans and continue operating the systems so that the fewest number of customers are affected,” Pagán Crespo said.