The Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority (AFI) expects to close a contract on Friday, November 13, to rehabilitate five water wells, the step pending before work can begin on an initiative aimed at making Puerto Rico less dependent on reservoirs in future droughts. Engineer Carlos Pesquera, the government’s technical coordinator for the drinking water system, announced the timeline after the Drought Committee met on Monday, November 9.
Pesquera said AFI executive director Eduardo Rivera reported that the contracting process is expected to be completed that Friday. Pesquera acknowledged the process has taken longer than desired, saying progress in Puerto Rico depends on a series of approvals. He said the commitment, agreed with the Oversight Board, is to rehabilitate five wells under the initiative, which he described as the start of a larger Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) capital improvements program to rehabilitate more wells or develop additional ones.
Pesquera said this would mean that in future droughts the island would not have to depend solely on reservoirs. The announcement came as the committee reported improved water reserves after rains in the first week of November, which reversed the downward trend at La Plata reservoir.