Service for 44,000 water customers interrupted by work at Carraízo Reservoir

As a mitigation measure, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority has deployed water tanker trucks, or “oasis” units, which are stationed near the Estancias de Boulevard, Brisas de Cupey and Fairview communities.

Cidra Reservoir undergoing operational adjustments

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) Metropolitan Region Executive Director José Rivera Ortiz announced on Sunday that a dive team was deployed to perform work at the Carraízo Reservoir in Trujillo Alto, aiming to increase water intake from a greater depth.

Under normal conditions, the plant draws an average of 80 million gallons per day. However, due to the drop in the reservoir’s water level, current intake has been reduced to some 60 million gallons per day.

“Our dive team is performing specialized work inside the reservoir to enable additional intake points beyond the existing ones, which would allow us to maximize the yield of the available resource,” Rivera Ortiz stated in a written release. “This is a necessary intervention given the reduction we have experienced due to the drought, and we will continue to closely monitor its progress.” 

The official noted that PRASA had temporarily halted the water supply from the Cupey Water System, a situation affecting some 44,355 customers in the Caimito, Carraízo, Cuevas, Cupey, El Cinco, Monacillo, Monacillo Urbano, Pueblo, Sabana Llana Sur, San Antonio and St. Just sectors of San Juan; the Vistamar area and surrounding zones in Carolina, as well as the Campo Rico sector; PR-962, and rural areas of Canóvanas.

As a mitigation measure, PRASA has deployed water tanker trucks (known as “oasis” units), which are stationed near the Estancias de Boulevard, Brisas de Cupey and Fairview communities.

“We urge customers to use water prudently while this work is underway,” Rivera Ortiz added. “Our crews and dive team will remain on-site until the operation is complete, and we will continue to provide updates on the progress of service restoration.”

Separately, PRASA Eastern Region Executive Director Enrique Rosario reported that the Cidra reservoir had entered the “Operational Adjustments” phase, having reached the “Observation” phase on April 24.

Starting Sunday, and as part of the new phase, PRASA was to implement additional operational adjustments, including a reduction in raw water extraction from the reservoir.

“We are facing a pivotal moment today. Both the Carraízo and Cidra reservoirs are at a critical stage due to the prolonged drought affecting Puerto Rico,” PRASA Executive President Luis R. González Delgado said. “For months, we have been implementing preventive measures to maximize the efficiency of our systems and extend the availability of this resource as much as possible, but we need the support of the entire community. I call upon every family, business and industry to use water prudently and responsibly. Every drop we conserve represents another step toward protecting our water supply. Using water wisely helps us preserve the resource for the days ahead and strengthens our ability to cope with this drought while we await the rainfall needed for our reservoirs to recover.”