Puerto Rico Senate Vice President Marissa "Marissita" Jiménez Santoni led an on-site inspection in Condado, San Juan, of the storm drainage system, pumping stations and three points where water discharges into the sea. The visit was part of Senate Resolution 310, authored by Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde. Participants included representatives of the San Juan municipal government, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA), the Health Department, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) and the Transportation and Public Works Department (DTOP), along with senators Álvarez Conde and María de Lourdes Santiago and community leader Amaury Rivera, who raised concerns about the discharges and the infrastructure’s capacity amid growing construction in the area.
The Committee on Tourism, Natural and Environmental Resources, chaired by Jiménez, examined the condition of storm pipes, sand buildup in channels and registers, the suction pumps, and the need for better preventive signage for residents and swimmers. San Juan’s Environmental Compliance director, María Matos, said the city has an agreement with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) covering inspection of the storm system and illegal connections.
She said the Condado assessment is complete and removal of illegal interconnections was required, with enforcement and fines available if they are restored. DRNA regional director José Alvarado acknowledged signs warning of strong currents are still to be installed and committed to addressing it. He said DRNA does not presume contamination without evidence, but one point at the end of Nairn Street, behind Presbyterian Hospital, has a sign because its water comes from the De Diego Avenue pump house.
Recent water quality test reports and related documents will be requested. Jiménez said the findings will inform further evaluation and a possible Senate public hearing.