AAA Weighs Fines for Water Waste as Carraízo Keeps Dropping and Guaynabo Loses Service

Puerto Rico's water crisis is escalating on every front. The Carraízo reservoir dropped to 38.34 meters on Tuesday — losing between 5 and 10 centimeters per day ⁴ — while the AAA is evaluating fines for water waste during the drought ¹. This week, more than 60,000 subscribers in Guaynabo and parts of Bayamón will lose water service for several days ², and a citizens' coalition has called a protest for August 4 ³.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 82.32% of Puerto Rico is experiencing atypical dryness or drought conditions ⁴. Carraízo, which supplies San Juan, Trujillo Alto, Carolina, Canóvanas, and Gurabo, sits at the "operational adjustments" level — still six to seven meters above the "control" threshold that would trigger mandatory rationing ⁴. The La Plata reservoir has entered the "observation" level ¹.

The AAA has already begun reducing water pressure, regulating flow, and limiting coverage areas to stretch reserves through mid-August ⁴. But here is the problem: the agency currently lacks the legal mechanism to fine people who fill pools, wash cars, or pressure-clean surfaces during drought conditions ¹. AAA Executive President Luis González confirmed that executive orders and DRNA administrative orders are under evaluation to grant that authority ¹. Fines are not unprecedented: in 2015, 161 were issued by late August, and in 2020, 200 were imposed by early July ¹.

Meanwhile, between 60,000 and 63,000 subscribers in Guaynabo and parts of Bayamón will lose water service starting tomorrow through Friday, with the possibility of extending through the weekend ². The interruption is due to maintenance at the Rosso farm pumping station, which requires two 24-hour work shifts ². José Rivera, AAA Metro Region Director, was blunt: "Prepare yourselves. You have today and tomorrow to get ready" ².

Public frustration is boiling over. The Coalición Exigimos Agua (We Demand Water Coalition) has called a protest for August 4 in front of Sixto Escobar Park in San Juan ³. Communities from Ocean Park, Villa Palmeras, Barrio Obrero, Isla Verde, Santurce, Condado, the Luis Llorens Torres and Bartolomé Las Casas public housing complexes, and municipalities including Loíza, Río Grande, Bayamón, and Guaynabo have joined the call ³. Coalition spokesperson Dhara Rivera declared that "united communities achieve great things" and that it is time to "take to the streets" ³. Ernel González, a community leader from Luis Llorens Torres, criticized government promises: "It is all uncertainty. She promised 90 cisterns, which really does not help" ³.

Some of these communities have not faced a crisis of this severity in 25 years ³. Infrastructure problems — including significant water loss through pipe leaks — are making things worse ³. In high-rise residential buildings, water cannot reach above the lower floors ³.

What It Means for You

If you live in the San Juan metro area — especially in Guaynabo, Bayamón, San Juan, Carolina, or Trujillo Alto — brace for service interruptions that could intensify over the coming weeks. The AAA is trying to avoid formal rationing, but the measures already in place (pressure reduction, coverage limits) mean your tap may run weaker or cut off without warning. If the AAA gains fine authority, filling your pool or washing your car could hit your wallet.

How to Prepare

1. Fill clean containers with drinking water today — aim for at least three gallons per person to last several days without service.
2. If you have a cistern, verify it is full and the pump is working properly.
3. Suspend lawn watering, car washing, and any non-essential water use immediately.
4. Coordinate with elderly neighbors or those with special needs to ensure they have sufficient reserves.
5. Follow AAA official social media accounts (@aboracoqui on X) for outage alerts in your area.
6. If the outage extends, AAA may set up water distribution points — stay alert for announcements from your municipality.
7. Report leaks or water waste in your neighborhood by calling AAA at 787-620-2482.

What Comes Next

The AAA is trying to stretch Carraízo's reserves through mid-August ⁴, but everything depends on rainfall — and evaporation is unpredictable ⁴. If the reservoir drops another six meters, formal rationing kicks in with rotating service schedules by sector ⁴. The August 4 protest at Sixto Escobar Park will be the first major test of organized public pressure on the government ³. And the decision on fines for water misuse could come at any moment via executive order ¹.

Sources: ¹ El Nuevo Día — AAA evaluates fines for water misuse during drought ² NotiCel — Guaynabo and Bayamón customers without water for several days ³ NotiCel — Protest called over water crisis ⁴ El Nuevo Día — AAA seeks to control Carraízo decline to avoid rationing