PRASA Will Spend Almost $1.66B in Settlement With Justice, EPA

WASHINGTON - The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority has reached a tentative settlement with the U.S. Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency under which it will spend almost $1.54 billion to upgrade and improve its sewer systems island-wide, as well as the Puerto Nuevo system.

PRASA has also agreed to in invest $120 million to construct sanitary sewers that will serve communities surrounding the Martin Peña Canal and benefit about 20,000 people.

The proposed settlement was detailed in a release issued by the Justice Department Tuesday night.

The terms and conditions of the settlement will update, replace and supersede three existing consent decrees reached between the U.S. and PRASA in 2004, 2006 and 2010, the department said.

In recognition of PRASA's financial challenges, the U.S. government waived civil penalties for violations alleged in a complaint, Justice said. Also, "many of the provisions of the agreement have been tailored to focus on the most critical problems first, giving more time to address the less critical problems over time," it said. And certain projects required under the 2006 and 2010 agreements have been found to be no longer necessary, as the population has declined, and have been eliminated from this agreement. "These upgrades are urgently needed to reduce the public's exposure to serious health risks posed by untreated sewage," said John C. Cruden, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's environment and natural resources division. "The United States has taken Puerto Rico's financial hardship into account by prioritizing the most critical projects first, and allowing a phased in approach in other areas, but let me be clear that these requirements are necessary for the long-term health and safety of San Juan area residents.

The settlement, which is pending before the U.S. District Court for Puerto Rico, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and must be approved by the federal court.

The Puerto Nuevo sewer system serves the municipalities of San Juan, Trujillo Alto and portions of Bayamon, Guaynabo and Carolina, according to Justice.

 

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