Senator seeks answers for illegal Condado discharges

At-large Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde

By THE STAR STAFF

At-large Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde has sent a formal communication to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting information, oversight and action regarding federal agreements tied to water contamination and longstanding failures in sanitary infrastructure affecting the Condado area and other communities across the island.

The move comes as San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo sued the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority over water shortages in a document that does not mention the illegal discharges.

Álvarez Conde said last week that residents deserve clarity on whether the corrective measures required under the federal agreements were ever completed and whether agencies have enforced compliance.

“We cannot normalize continued discharges of wastewater into the ocean in one of Puerto Rico’s most visited areas, nor ignore the risks this represents for public health and our natural resources,” the senator said.

In her letter, Álvarez Conde asked the DOJ to provide the current status of compliance in the federal cases related to the aforementioned issues, details on enforcement actions taken, any identified violations, and any ongoing assessments of environmental or public health risks.

“Condado cannot continue making headlines for contamination problems affecting our coasts,” she added. “Puerto Rico deserves transparency, accountability, and strict compliance with environmental obligations established to protect our people and our ecosystems.”