Drought Watch: 60 Municipios in Drought, Extreme in 36 Municipios
The US Drought Monitor map dated September 15 puts 60 of 78 municipios in at least moderate drought (D1). The worst tier, D3 extreme drought, covers 36 of them, led…
Puerto Rico Infrastructure News
Daily Water Watch: Carraízo Rises to 40.64 Meters
Day 42 of the metro rotation plan — interruptions paused since September 2, AAA has not cancelled the plan. This morning's 5:00 chart from the Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados…
La Fortaleza Rejects Proposed LUMA Rate Hike, Demands Executive Salary Transparency
Jean Peña Payano, La Fortaleza's secretary of public affairs, rejected a proposed electricity rate increase from LUMA Energy on Thursday and demanded the company disclose executives' salaries and benefits. He…
AAA and Union Reach Progress on Pay Classification Plan
The Unión Independiente Auténtica de Empleados de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (UIA-AAA) announced Thursday that negotiations with the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) on the Classification…
San Juan Residents Still Face Low Water Pressure Despite End of Rationing
A San Juan community served by the Carraízo reservoir continues to suffer from low water pressure, even though the utility has officially ended water rationing. Residents say the low pressure…
Rainfall Eases Extreme Drought Slightly Across Puerto Rico
Rain from tropical waves last week slightly eased Puerto Rico's extreme drought, according to a U.S. Drought Monitor report published Thursday. Extreme drought coverage fell from 39.49% to 37.14% of…
Carraízo Reservoir Rises 83 cm, Returns to 'Safe' Level
The Carraízo Reservoir in Puerto Rico rose 83 centimeters on Thursday, reaching the 'safe' water level for the first time in two months, according to El Nuevo Día. The increase…
Daily Water Watch: Carraízo Back in the Seguridad Band
Day 41 of the metro rotation plan — interruptions paused since September 2, plan still in force. This morning's 5:00 chart from the Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados shows Carraízo…
Nine Years After Hurricane María, Puerto Rico's Coasts Remain More Exposed to Future Storms
Nine years after Hurricane María struck Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, coastal municipalities continue to suffer from lost shoreline, damaged natural barriers, and collapsed structures near the sea. Playa…
From Dishwasher to Restaurant Owner: Flor Jíbara Brings Puerto Rican Flavor to Naranjito
Leyra Rolón López, a 30-year-old from Naranjito, Puerto Rico, has opened Flor Jíbara, a restaurant that serves a 'brunch' with a rural and Puerto Rican flavor. The menu is inspired…
LUMA CEO Warns Electric Bills Could Rise $48 a Month Starting in October
LUMA Energy CEO Janisse Quiñones announced Wednesday that the average residential customer's bill could increase by approximately $48 per month starting in October, if the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau approves…
AAA's Cloud-Seeding Contract Called Void as Utility Admits Employees Manipulated Valves
The $400,000 contract the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority signed to seed clouds over its reservoirs is now being called void by the senator investigating it — and at…
Tropics Watch: No Active Storms, but a 30% Chance of Development
As of September 16, the National Hurricane Center lists no active systems in the Atlantic basin. The tropics are quiet right now. As of September 16, the National Hurricane Center…
Daily Water Watch: La Plata at 44.40 Meters
Day 40 of the metro rotation plan — interruptions paused since September 2, plan still in force. This morning's 5:00 chart from the Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados shows Carraízo…
AEE Bondholders Claim Unpaid Administrative Expenses
The main bondholders of the Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica (AEE), Puerto Rico's electric power authority, have asked the First Circuit Court of Appeals to correct an error made by federal…