The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) halted operations at the Jagüeyes Filter Plant in Villalba on Monday afternoon after detecting oily material in one of its filters following an accident involving heavy machinery. Bruce León Ng, executive director of AAA’s Southern Region, said a digger accidentally struck equipment containing oil, causing a spill during rehabilitation work at the plant.
Operational staff shut down the plant and activated protocols to protect water quality, conducted cleanup work, and began evaluating affected components. Technical and operational staff performed sampling and testing, with results expected to take up to 24 hours; the plant will remain out of service until evaluations confirm it meets required parameters to resume service.
The Department of Health was notified and AAA is coordinating with the agency. While the plant remains shut, about 800 customers in Villalba and Juana Díaz could experience low pressure or service interruptions. Affected Villalba areas include Los Bravos, Jagüeyes Arriba, Corillo, Romero, Talas Largas, Santo Domingo, Las Cumbres, El Guayo, Quintas del Alba, and Polvorín.
In Juana Díaz, the Collores and Margaritas sectors could be impacted. As a mitigation measure, AAA is coordinating with Municipal Emergency Management Offices to distribute water tanker trucks ('camiones oasis’) to affected communities.