The management of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) and officials from the San Juan Municipality reached a preliminary understanding and committed to continue dialogue to identify concrete solutions to address water intermittency and scarcity issues in San Juan communities. The agreements were not disclosed by either party, who met on Wednesday at the order of Judge Anthony Cuevas, after the administration of Miguel Romero presented a contempt motion due to alleged non-compliance by the AAA with a previously reached agreement. The meeting resulted in a series of collaborative initiatives that are being evaluated and implemented.
The parties agreed to hold additional meetings to follow up on proposals and define mechanisms for their execution. Michelle Cobb, AAA spokesperson, described the meeting as 'productive' but emphasized the confidential nature of the discussions. The Municipality of San Juan had alleged that the AAA's executive president, Luis González Delgado, and other personnel were not complying with the agreement, obstructing or omitting actions of the Water Service Stabilization and Restoration Committee.
Judge Cuevas denied the contempt motion and ordered the parties to meet. Romero has denounced operational problems at the AAA affecting over a dozen San Juan communities and called for changes in the corporation's management.