Puerto Rico’s Drought Committee agreed on Monday, November 9, to recommend that Governor Jenniffer González suspend its fixed schedule of bimonthly meetings so it is convened only when weather conditions require it, after the island exited extreme drought. The committee, whose meeting was led by Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana, reported that no widespread water supply difficulties are anticipated for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
About 15% of Puerto Rico’s territory remains under severe drought even as recent rains have helped the main reservoirs recover. The northern part of the La Plata basin received six to seven inches of rain, and the La Plata reservoir reached 42.55 meters on Monday morning, up 13 centimeters from the previous day and about 75 centimeters over ten days, reversing a two-month decline.
Carraízo remained in the Safe band at 40.88 meters. Cidra rose 12 centimeters between Sunday and Monday, while Toa Vaca, Río Blanco and Fajardo also recorded increases; agencies will keep close watch on Cidra and La Plata. The committee also discussed interruptions from turbidity caused by the rains, which forces temporary operational adjustments at some filtration plants.
The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) reported that optimization work at the Sergio Cuevas plant in Trujillo Alto brought filters that were out of service back into use, and that installation of a sixth pump at Carraízo continues. The Infrastructure Financing Authority expects to complete contracting this week for a demonstration project to rehabilitate five wells, subject to delivery of required documents; the initiative will include a cost-benefit analysis of adding a permanent well development and rehabilitation program to the AAA’s Capital Improvement Plan.
In agriculture, short-cycle crops have recovered and livestock and pastures are moving toward normal, while coffee remains the most affected crop, with preliminary losses estimated at 20% to 40%; the Department of Agriculture will continue damage assessment and documentation for federal assistance programs.