Archive

Puerto Rico Drought Programs

Program Title: Emergency Declaration

Function: Response

Program Assistance or Functional Assistance: DNRE Secretary determines when an area is critically affected by water shortage and the measures to be taken, which can include: Emergency Declaration (by the Governor), Special consideration measures, Determination of water consumption priority, Ordering a stay in the issuance of water extraction permits, Conditioning an authorized extraction activity.

Statute or Authority: Law Number 136, June 3, 1976, known as Water Resources Act

Agencies (primary agency listed first): Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE)

Customers Served: Applies to the whole island (administrative orders issued due to an emergency declaration can be directed to the general population or limited to a permit holder).

Triggering Event or Circumstance-How does this program relate to drought? A geographic area or the whole island is critically affected due to water shortage, which can be caused by a drought. The emergency declaration is needed in order to implement water use or extraction limitations (such as rationing).

Unmet Needs at federal, state, local and tribal levels. Includes changes from customer or "provider" perspective: No data

Program Limitations: No data

Contact Name and Phone Number: Shirley Vokac, DNRE, Legal Division
(787) 724-8774

Puerto Rico Drought Programs

Program Title: Southwest Irrigation District

Function: Mitigation

Program Assistance or Functional Assistance: The irrigation system is already established, and therefore can provide water only to properties in the specific geographical area.

Statute or Authority: Law Number 65, June 10, 1953, known as Southwest Irrigation District Act

Agencies (primary agency listed first): Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture

Customers Served: 3,000 acre-feet (1 acre-foot = 326,000 gallons of water)

Triggering Event or Circumstance-How does this program relate to drought? Need to irrigate a property or obtain water for commercial, industrial or domestic uses in the district.

Unmet Needs at federal, state, local and tribal levels. Includes changes from customer or "provider" perspective: No data

Program Limitations: The irrigation system is already established, thus can provide water only to properties in the specific geographical area.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Miguel Perez, PREPA, Irrigation Division
(787) 289-3244

Puerto Rico Drought Programs

Program Title: South Coast Irrigation District

Function: Mitigation

Program Assistance or Functional Assistance: The irrigation system is already established, and therefore can provide water only to properties in the specific geographical area.

Statute or Authority: No data

Agencies (primary agency listed first): Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture

Customers Served: 2,400 acre-feet (1 acre-foot = 326,000 gallons of water)

Triggering Event or Circumstance-How does this program relate to drought? Need to irrigate a property or obtain water for commercial, industrial or domestic uses in the district.

Unmet Needs at federal, state, local and tribal levels. Includes changes from customer or "provider" perspective: No data

Program Limitations: The irrigation system is already established, thus can provide water only to properties in the specific geographical area.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Miguel Perez, PREPA, Irrigation Division
(787) 289-3244

Puerto Rico Drought Programs

Program Title: Isabela Irrigation District

Function: Mitigation

Program Assistance or Functional Assistance: The irrigation system is already established, and therefore can provide water only to properties in the specific geographic area.

Statute or Authority: Law Number 63 July 19, 1919 known as Isabela Irrigation District Act

Agencies (primary agency listed first): Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture

Customers Served: 5,000 acre-feet (1 acre-foot = 326,000 gallons of water)

Triggering Event or Circumstance-How does this program relate to drought? Need to irrigate a property or obtain water for commercial, industrial or domestic uses in the district.

Unmet Needs at federal, state, local and tribal levels. Includes changes from customer or "provider" perspective: No data

Program Limitations: The irrigation system is already established, thus can provide water only to properties in the specific geographical area. Isabela system production is mainly used for domestic consumption.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Miguel Perez, PREPA, Irrigation Division
(787) 289-3244

Puerto Rico Drought Programs

Program Title: Program for the Development of Irrigation and Draining Infrastructure on Highly Productive Agricultural Land

Function: Mitigation

Program Assistance or Functional Assistance: For farmers in need of economic assistance, program provides up to 90% of cost of irrigation water supplies or drainage construction projects such as wells, ponds, and small reservoirs. Acquisition of material and equipment for irrigation is also covered.

Statute or Authority: Joint Resolution Number 597 of December 1, 1995

Agencies (primary agency listed first): Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Puerto Rico Land Authority, Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Customers Served: Approximately 25,000 farmers

Triggering Event or Circumstance-How does this program relate to drought? Need to improve terrain conditions in order to maximize production; program is usually used for irrigation.

Unmet Needs at federal, state, local and tribal levels. Includes changes from customer or "provider" perspective: Program would benefit from water availability studies which would allow focusing on areas where the terrain improvements are most needed.

Program Limitations: Program will be in place for up to five years, or until $125 million fund is used.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Carlos Flores, Deputy Secretary, Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture
(787) 725-6544

Puerto Rico Drought Programs

Program Title: Water Rationing Program

Function: Response

Program Assistance or Functional Assistance: Dams and reservoirs are constantly monitored. If critical levels are reached, water pressure is first reduced, but if levels don't improve, rationing starts. Rationing phases are divided into 12-hour periods, which in extreme circumstances can be extended up to 48 hours. The area affected is divided in sectors, and rationing phases of any given duration are first implemented locally, but in extreme circumstances, municipalities or island regions can be affected simultaneously.

Statute or Authority: Executive Order

Agencies (primary agency listed first): Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) -- Aguas de Puerto Rico

Customers Served: Varies

Triggering Event or Circumstance-How does this program relate to drought? Critical levels on reservoirs

Unmet Needs at federal, state, local and tribal levels. Includes changes from customer or "provider" perspective: No data

Program Limitations: When clients have service they try to compensate by storing water in excess of their needs.

Contact Name and Phone Number: Mayra Encarnacion, PRASA--Aguas de PR Emergency Coordinator
(787) 756-2037