USDA Rural Development grants $28.3M to PRASA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has allocated more than $28.3 million in grants to the Puerto Rico Aqueducts & Sewer Authority (PRASA) for expenses incurred in disaster recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria.
“Both water and wastewater treatment systems were left without power for indefinite periods of time, causing damage to different processes that subsequently required the installation of additional equipment for the addition of chemicals needed to improve water quality systems,” said Maximiliano J. Trujillo, USDA Rural Development’s state director for Puerto Rico.
A significant portion of the funds, amounting to $24.7 million, is designated for the installation of supplementary or new equipment to enhance drinking water production and wastewater system efficiency.
Furthermore, the USDA has approved an Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant Program (ECWAG) to aid communities in addressing or recovering from emergencies that jeopardize safe drinking water availability.
Trujillo also highlighted damages to PRASA facilities caused by Hurricane Fiona on Sept. 18, 2022, requiring repairs and upgrades across numerous locations, for which $3.6 million in grant funding was allocated.
These projects included the construction of platforms and emergency structures for additional equipment installation to stabilize treatment processes and the refurbishment of facilities, water channels, intakes, pipes, pumping stations, water treatment plants and wells.
