Health Department orders investigation into water quality at Hospital Pavía in Hato Rey after sewage complaints

Puerto Rico's Department of Health has ordered an immediate investigation into water quality at Hospital Pavía in Hato Rey after a union representative publicly reported that sewage water had been flowing from the hospital's pipes for over a week ¹.

Health Secretary Dr. Víctor Ramos Otero activated the department's Health Institutions Licensing Section to inspect the facility. Auxiliary Secretary Wanda Rodríguez Hernández and Director Andrés Ojeda Ojeda led the inspection on July 27 ¹.

The Data

The alarm was raised on July 22, when Desiré López, an international representative of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, posted on social media that contaminated water had been flowing through the hospital's plumbing for more than a week. That means the problem likely started around July 15 ¹.

At the time of inspection, approximately 40 patients were hospitalized. Inspectors reported that the water appeared clear and odorless, and they received no direct complaints from patients during the visit ¹.

The hospital activated emergency measures starting July 22:

• Bottled water for drinking
• Gallon containers for patient hygiene
• Two rented 1,500-gallon water tanks
• Installation of a new pump underway, expected to be completed that same week ¹

The Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewers Authority (AAA) is also involved in evaluating the hospital's water supply ¹.

What It Means for You

If you have a family member hospitalized at Pavía de Hato Rey or you're receiving treatment there yourself, this directly affects you. Contaminated water in a hospital is not a minor inconvenience. Hospitalized patients, many with compromised immune systems, depend on optimal sanitary conditions for their recovery.

While inspectors found the water clear during their visit, the fact that the problem was reportedly ongoing for more than a week before the Department of Health stepped in raises serious questions. A week is a long time when we're talking about a facility where medical procedures are performed, medications are prepared, and the most vulnerable patients rely on clean water for everything.

The reality is that the complaint didn't come from inside the hospital or from the government. It came from a union representative who posted on social media. That tells you something about internal oversight mechanisms and who's actually paying attention.

Checklist

1. If you have a family member at Pavía de Hato Rey right now, ask nursing staff what water source is being used for patient care and whether they're using the emergency tanks or the regular supply.

2. Make sure your family member is consuming only bottled water until the Department of Health officially confirms the issue is resolved.

3. If you notice water with unusual color, odor, or taste during a visit, document it with photos or video and report it to the Department of Health.

4. Ask whether the new pump has been installed. If they're still running on the temporary tank solution, that gives you a sense of where things stand.

5. Check social media and Department of Health communications for updates on investigation results.

What Comes Next

The Department of Health said it will maintain strict follow-up on the case. If the investigation identifies deficiencies, the hospital could face administrative action ¹. The new pump installation should be completed this week, which would theoretically address the root cause.

But the bigger question remains open: why did a hospital have contaminated water for over a week without regulators finding out until someone posted about it on social media? That answer matters more than the pump.

Sources: ¹ NotiCel — Report on the investigation ordered by the Department of Health following water quality complaints at Hospital Pavía de Hato Rey (https://noticel.com/noticias/20260727/salud-ordena-investigacion-tras-senalamientos-por-la-calidad-del-agua-en-hospital-pavia-de-hato-rey/)