Water bills overflowing to $20,000 monthly at Luquillo condominium

During the meeting, Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority officials emphasized that a large number of meters have mechanical defects that contribute to water loss, an assertion that was challenged by members of the Sandy Hills condominium’s Residents Association.

By THE STAR STAFF

Since 2020, residents of the Sandy Hills condominiums in the municipality of Luquillo have been raising concerns about excessive charges on their water bills for communal use, which have exceeded $20,000 per month.

In response, Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez held a meeting earlier this week at the Capitol with residents of the housing complex and executives from the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), including Assistant Director of Large Accounts William Thompson and Gisela Reyes, manager of the same area for the PRASA Eastern Region, among others. An agreement was reached to conduct a census of water meters in the complex.

“The residents of the Sandy Hills condominiums have brought to our attention the high cost of potable water service for the common areas, with bills fluctuating between $15,000 and $20,000 per month -- a substantial increase from the approximately $4,000 they paid before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Méndez Nuñez, who represents House District 36 (Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Vieques and Culebra). “We want to find a solution, which is why an agreement was reached for the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority to conduct a census of water meters and a study of the communal water meter usage as soon as possible to determine the reason for these costs.”

The House speaker also noted that an on-site inspection of the facilities will be coordinated with PRASA technical personnel in the coming days.

Condo residents say there are some 292 apartments in the two towers that comprise the complex, a popular residential site during vacation periods due to its proximity to Luquillo beaches and other attractions. However, PRASA indicates that its records show some 282 water meters, excluding the one in dispute. Of that number, the public corporation designated 194 meters as vacation rentals and 52 as short-term rental units.

The common areas include two cisterns, a four-bathroom system, showers and sinks. The complex’s pool is fed by a hose, rather than pumps.

During the meeting, PRASA officials also emphasized that a large number of meters have mechanical defects that contribute to water loss, an assertion that was challenged by members of the condominium’s Residents Association.