The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) confirmed that the substance found at the Loíza Valle pumping station in Canóvanas is oil and grease, but its origin is still unknown. According to AAA Executive President Luis González Delgado, the authority is working to clean the area and restore operations at the pumping station, which has left around 11,000 subscribers without potable water in the municipalities of Loíza and Canóvanas. The specialized company 5 Senses is being mobilized to perform the cleaning work, which includes removing the material detected on the water's surface.
The AAA took two water samples on Saturday and will take a third sample on Sunday to confirm that the cleaning has removed the substance from the system. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) will conduct an exploratory inspection with AAA personnel to try to identify the source of the substance. The restoration of the water service will depend on the Department of Health's decision.
The situation occurs as a possible rationing affecting over 13,000 subscribers in Loíza and Canóvanas is being considered.