PRASA considers fines for improper water use as drought deepens across PR

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority Executive President Luis González Delgado

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) is weighing the implementation of fines for improper water use as the island faces worsening drought conditions, the agency’s top official confirmed on Tuesday.

PRASA Executive President Luis González Delgado said in a radio interview that penalties are “an alternative” under evaluation, similar to measures adopted during the 2015 drought, when fines of up to $500 were imposed for misuse of potable water.

“It’s on the table,” he said. “It has not been implemented. It requires certain instruments that are being worked on, because we are already in communication.”

Any fines, he added, would need to be established through an executive order or an administrative order issued by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, which at press time had not yet issued a public response to PRASA’s proposal.

The discussion comes as water levels at key reservoirs continue to fall. On Monday, PRASA reported that the Carraízo reservoir in Trujillo Alto dropped to 38.34 meters -- remaining below its operational adjustment threshold and losing 0.09 meters in 24 hours. Carraízo supplies nearly 180,000 customers in San Juan, Trujillo Alto, Carolina, Canóvanas and Gurabo.

Ten other reservoirs also registered declines, with the steepest drops in Lucchetti in Yauco (‑0.15 meters), Fajardo (‑0.09) and Río Blanco in Naguabo (‑0.08). As previously reported by the STAR, González confirmed that the agency will reduce raw water extraction from Carraízo to stretch supply and delay the need for scheduled service interruptions.

“If rainfall continues to be absent and the reservoir level keeps descending, there will come a moment when implementing a plan of programmed interruptions will be inevitable,” he warned, urging residents to use water prudently.

PRASA has already asked the public to postpone filling pools, washing vehicles and using hoses to clean patios, sidewalks and carports. At present, only Canóvanas and Río Grande are under a 48‑hour rationing plan.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, severe drought now covers 14.28% of Puerto Rico, with the most acute impacts concentrated in the south‑central region, including Cidra, Cayey, Aibonito, Salinas, Coamo, Santa Isabel, Juana Díaz, Ponce, Peñuelas, Guayanilla, Yauco, Sabana Grande, Guánica, Lajas and Cabo Rojo.