Juan Carlos García Padilla, the mayor of Coamo, has identified unchecked development as a key factor in Puerto Rico’s water problems. He argues that the practice of connecting more clients to the water service without proper planning exacerbates the system’s vulnerability during droughts. García Padilla cited the need to responsibly plan housing developments, suggesting the use of existing, unused structures in municipalities as an alternative to building new ones.
This comes as the Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA) has warned of possible water rationing in several municipalities, including Coamo, due to low water levels in the Toa Vaca reservoir. García Padilla has proposed using existing wells in Santa Isabel to supply water to new projects instead of relying on the vulnerable Toa Vaca reservoir.
He has also rejected a residential project proposed for the border of Coamo and Santa Isabel, citing the potential to increase pressure on the already strained water infrastructure.