The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported the reservoir in Comerío fell 12 cm in the last day and now stands 1.78 meters from the control phase
- The AAA said La Plata supplies 130828 customers in nine municipalities and remains the only reservoir in operational adjustment phase
- Primera Hora reported the Drought Committee on Monday ruled out rationing for now after La Plata lost nearly two meters in 30 days and sits at about 42.5 meters
- NWS meteorologist Ernesto Rodríguez told both outlets the La Plata basin received under half an inch of rain in two weeks while a broader rain event is forecast for Nov 2-4
Continued decline at La Plata
The Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA) reported on Wednesday that the La Plata reservoir in Comerío dropped another 12 centimeters in the past 24 hours because of insufficient rainfall in its watershed. Metro Puerto Rico reported the body of water now stands 1.78 meters from entering the control phase. The reservoir, built in 1974, supplies domestic water to approximately 130828 customers in Dorado, Guaynabo, Naranjito, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, Bayamón, Cataño and Corozal.
On Monday the government’s Drought Committee decided against implementing scheduled water interruptions for La Plata customers. Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana told reporters after the meeting, “Por ahora, en este momento, eso no está contemplado.” She said authorities would wait for the results of forecasted rain events in early November before deciding on further conservation measures. Metro Puerto Rico reported.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Por ahora, en este momento, eso no está contemplado
Our translation: For now, at this moment, that is not contemplated
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Forecast and operational measures
National Weather Service meteorologist Ernesto Rodríguez said La Plata remains in severe drought while parts of southern, southwestern and central-southern Puerto Rico are in extreme drought. He noted that in the past two weeks the western region received four to six inches of rain but the La Plata basin got less than half an inch. Rodríguez said a trough and tropical wave could bring more widespread rain between Nov. 2 and 4, although he cautioned it may not fully end the drought conditions. Metro Puerto Rico reported and Primera Hora reported.
AAA executive president Luis González Delgado stated there is sufficient water for at least 30 days without interruptions thanks to current operational measures. The agency is focusing cloud-seeding operations on the La Plata watershed; preliminary reports from contractor Seeding Operations & Atmospheric Research (SOAR) describe the effort as productive. All other reservoirs are in safety or spill stage except Cidra, which remains under observation. Metro Puerto Rico reported and Primera Hora reported.
Where the sources differ
Both Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora agree that La Plata continues to decline, that rationing is not currently planned, and that a rain event is expected in early November. Metro Puerto Rico, published two days later, gives the precise 24-hour drop of 12 cm and the exact distance of 1.78 m from the control phase, while Primera Hora reports an approximate elevation of 42.5 m and a two-meter loss over 30 days. Metro Puerto Rico adds details on cloud seeding, the 30-day supply estimate from engineer Carlos Pesquera, and the exact list of nine municipalities served. Primera Hora lists six of the municipalities and notes the deficit over the past two months.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the current exact water level in meters above sea level, the precise volume of water remaining, the date when the control phase would begin at the present rate of decline, or what specific operational measures the AAA has taken to conserve water. They also do not indicate how much rain would be required to return La Plata to safe levels or whether cloud seeding has produced measurable runoff into the reservoir.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official La falta de lluvia sigue pasando factura al embalse La Plata
- Official La falta de lluvia sigue pasando factura al embalse La Plata
- Reporting La falta de lluvia sigue pasando factura al embalse La Plata
- Reporting Confían en que eventos de lluvia en noviembre ayuden al embalse La Plata
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora both covered the ongoing drought situation at La Plata reservoir and the government’s decision to await November rainfall. The precise 24-hour measurement, distance to control phase, cloud-seeding update and 30-day supply estimate appear only in Metro Puerto Rico. The approximate 42.5-meter level and two-month rainfall deficit are reported only by Primera Hora.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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