PRASA could face court sanctions if water pact with San Juan is breached

San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) could face severe penalties for failing to comply with a potable water service agreement it reached with the municipality of San Juan.

In a motion submitted Wednesday against the public corporation, San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo asked the court that in the absence of reliable and consistent drinking water service, a special commissioner be appointed to ensure compliance with the agreement.

If PRASA remains in breach of the agreement, attorney Manuel Quilichini warned that the utility could face significant legal consequences.

“Contempt carries fines and may, if contempt continues, could even be in prison. But that’s an extreme,” he said. “There are also provisions on debts, but really the biggest exposure is that the judge imposes fines for not complying with a stipulation. The judge said in his ruling when approving the stipulation that whoever does not comply exposes himself to severe penalties. So we know that this is within the judge’s capacity.”

Ocean Park resident Alfredo Cuyar said PRASA Executive President Luis González Delgado maintains an “extremely controlling” leadership style,  which, in his opinion, hinders decision-making and aggravates the problems with drinking water service that have been plaguing communities in San Juan.

“The [executive] president is the one who is hindering things,” Cuyar said. “Here is a figure that is rather ornamental. … Where is the governing board in all this? In other words, Aqueducts does not report directly to the governor. There’s a board that’s supposed to do this.”

“Now, I know the [executive] president and I have met with him, and he is an extremely controlling person who believes Aqueducts without him does not run,” the resident added. “In other words, he doesn’t just strangle Aqueducts, he strangles the people who work with him because he doesn’t let them make decisions. He believes that he is the ultimate authority who should make all decisions.”

Judge Anthony Cuevas on Wednesday did not declare PRASA in breach of an agreement to supply water in San Juan, but ordered the parties to meet to settle their differences.