*Article originally published Feb. 2 and updated Feb. 9.
What's happening? The Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA) is moving forward with repairs to a breakdown at the Carraízo dam that has affected drinking water service in the Metro Region over the past week, impacting more than 40,000 customers.
This Monday, Feb. 9, AAA executive president Ing. Luis R. González Delgado reported that work carried out overnight Sunday into Monday, which required a temporary shutdown of the pumping system, "concluded successfully." The system is in a recovery phase, and service will be restored gradually in sectors that experienced interruptions during the early morning hours.
The 15-day estimate to complete the full repair remains in place, as stipulated by Cortés Industrial, the company overseeing the work, whose technical staff is working in three rotating shifts.
Why does it matter? The breakdown, which occurred Jan. 31 following voltage fluctuations and power outages, took one of the five pumps that supplies raw water to the Planta de Filtración Sergio Cuevas, in Trujillo Alto, out of service. Since then, about 44,233 customers in San Juan, Carolina, Trujillo Alto and Loíza, 10.2% of Metro Region customers, have experienced outages and low pressure. The hardest-hit areas are Piñones and Santurce.
To ease the situation, the AAA has supplemented the system with water from other sources, including the Superacueducto, and activated water stations and tanker trucks in the affected towns. It is also in contact with the Compañía de Turismo and the Departments of Health and Education to ensure service at critical facilities.
"We are working tirelessly to repair this breakdown, which has affected thousands of customers in the metropolitan area. We recognize the frustration and understand how difficult this situation has been for many families. Our commitment is to complete this repair and restore stable service as soon as possible," González Delgado said in a written statement Monday.
The AAA repeated its call for customers to use water prudently, avoiding nonessential uses such as washing cars, sidewalks and roofs, or extended irrigation.
Water stations available by town
📍 San Juan
Key phone numbers: For tanker trucks, 787-480-2222; for municipal assistance, 787-480-2025
The AAA assigned seven tanker trucks from the Oficina Municipal de Manejo de Emergencias (OMME) to the capital. You can reach them by calling 787-480-2222.
San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero also activated the municipal emergency plan and made the number 787-480-2025 available to residents of the capital who need additional support. He also indicated that drinking water could be distributed if necessary.
To request a cistern fill: Fill out this form from the Municipio de San Juan to receive drinking water.
📍 Carolina
Key phone numbers: For tanker trucks, municipal assistance, or to report areas without water, call 787-769-4000
The AAA assigned 10 OMME tanker trucks to this town, reachable by calling 787-769-4000.
The Municipio de Carolina also activated its emergency protocols and began its drinking water distribution plan for sectors such as Isla Verde, which are already without water.
In addition, Carolina activated a permanent water station at the Centro de Servicios Municipales de Barrazas. It is open 24 hours and has 32 easily accessible faucets, including spaces designed for people in wheelchairs.
A water station was also activated at the Centro de Servicios Municipales de Isla Verde.
📍 Trujillo Alto
Key phone numbers: For tanker trucks, 787-760-4440
The AAA activated two tanker trucks for Trujillo Alto, available by calling 787-760-4440.
📍 Loíza
Key phone numbers: For water trucks, 787-876-3561
The AAA has deployed a water truck for Loíza, as areas of Torrecilla Baja (Piñones and La Torre) are facing water shortages due to the outage. It is located at the Centro Comunal La Torre, on highway PR-187.
Cover photo: Work on the damaged pump at the Carraízo reservoir. (AAA)
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
