AAA Starts Finca Rosso 1 Repairs: 60,000 Without Water in Bayamón and Guaynabo as Carraízo Hits Alert Level
The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) kicked off repair work this morning at the Finca Rosso 1 pumping station, a project that will leave roughly 60,000 subscribers in Bayamon and Guaynabo with low pressure or no water through Friday, July 31 12. Meanwhile, the agency confirmed it will adjust bills for customers who lost service in June 3, and Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon convened the Drought Committee after the Carraizo reservoir dropped below 38.4 meters 4.
Work began at 6:00 a.m. today and involves demolishing and replacing concrete and ductile iron pipes with more resistant metal tubing, plus a full replacement of pumps #2 and #3 12. Jose Rivera Ortiz, executive director of AAA's Metropolitan Region, said the new pipes are "more resistant to pressure changes and factors like earthquakes" 1. By Friday evening, operations will shift to the two new pumps before work begins on pump #3 1.
The Cantagallo pumping station in Guaynabo had already reported interruptions by this morning 2. Both municipalities activated contingency plans with water tankers and distribution points: in Guaynabo at the Santa Rosa 1-3, Canta Gallo, and Petra Collazo barrios; in Bayamon at two oasis-style sites plus the La Morenita community center 1.
On the drought front, the Carraizo reservoir fell below 38.4 meters -- the threshold that triggers "operational adjustments" status -- putting roughly 180,000 metro-area customers at risk 4. The governor convened the Drought Committee with nearly 20 officials, including Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana and undersecretaries of Governance 4. AAA Executive President Luis Gonzalez Delgado outlined "more aggressive" water conservation measures, but the rationing plan on the table for Carolina, Canovanas, Gurabo, Loiza, San Juan, and Trujillo Alto was postponed for now 4. The governor rejected the idea of fining people for excessive water use 4.
On the billing front, AAA appeared before the Senate's Commission on Transportation, Telecommunications, Public Services, and Consumer Affairs to address compliance with Law 143-2018 on fair billing during emergencies 3. Edna Borges, AAA's Customer Service Director, stated: "The adjustment will be made for those affected." Credits will arrive in August as discounts on future bills for metro-area customers who lost service during the Superaqueduct crisis and issues with the Carraizo and La Plata reservoirs in June 3. Ana Vazquez, an affected resident from the Los Pinos condominium in Isla Verde, also testified before the Senate about the impact of weeks without water 3.
What It Means for You
If you live in Bayamon or Guaynabo, brace for three days of low pressure or no water. The work addresses structural problems at the plant -- replacing concrete pipes that cannot handle pressure or seismic activity -- so it is an investment that improves your service long-term, but short-term it is going to hurt.
If you lost water in June, you do not need to do anything special to receive the bill adjustment. AAA says it is collecting operational data to figure out how many days each sector went without service, and the credits will be applied automatically in August 3.
If you live in the area that depends on Carraizo -- Carolina, Canovanas, Gurabo, Loiza, San Juan, or Trujillo Alto -- stay alert. While there is no formal rationing yet, "operational adjustments" mean low pressure and possible outages without warning. Start conserving water today.
Checklist
- Fill containers with water today if you live in the affected sectors of Bayamon or Guaynabo -- the work runs through Friday the 31st.
- Find your nearest water distribution point: in Guaynabo check the Santa Rosa, Canta Gallo, and Petra Collazo barrios. In Bayamon look for the oasis sites or the La Morenita community center.
- If you lost water in June, check your August bill -- it should reflect a credit for the days without service.
- Cut your water usage if you depend on the Carraizo reservoir. Fix leaks, shorten showers, and skip watering the lawn.
- Follow AAA (@AAAenlinea) and your municipality on social media for real-time updates on outages and distribution points.
What Comes Next
The Finca Rosso 1 repairs should wrap up Friday evening, July 31, when operations shift to the two new pumps before the final repair of pump #3 begins 1. Billing adjustments for the June crisis will show up on August bills 3. On the drought front, the Drought Committee will continue monitoring Carraizo levels daily, and if the reservoir keeps dropping, the rationing plan postponed today could be activated for six metro-area municipalities 4. The governor did not rule out additional measures, but for now the bet is on voluntary conservation without fines.
Sources: 1 El Nuevo Dia, 2 NotiCel, 3 El Nuevo Dia, 4 El Vocero
Sources
Reported by the CoquiList Newsroom · Facts backed by the sources cited above
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