Federal funds allocated to replace outdated water meters in Puerto Rico
The Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) in Puerto Rico will be receiving $711 million in federal funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to replace outdated mechanical drinking water meters with ultrasonic meters equipped with advanced measurement infrastructure (AMI). This change will allow the agency to accurately measure consumption without the need to verify each individual meter.
According to FEMA, this allocation includes $580 million in 406 risk mitigation funds, the highest amount allocated for mitigation under Hurricane María to date. José G. Baquero, the federal coordinator of Disaster Recovery, stated that this investment will not only help AAA modernize its infrastructure but also protect federal investments and assets by adding resilience against future events.
The benefits for customers with the new meters will include more accurate readings, real-time consumption data, reduction of losses, continuous monitoring of water flow, and identification of irregularities. The installation of the new meters has already begun as a pilot project, impacting 3,000 clients in the metropolitan area.
The executive president of AAA, Doriel I. Pagán Crespo, expressed that the transition to smart meters is a significant project for the Authority, representing a total investment of $790 million. The replacement of mechanical meters with ultrasonic technology will provide multiple benefits, including accurate readings for 20 years without being affected by water quality or wear and tear.
Governor Pedro Pierluisi also praised the initiative, highlighting the improvements in drinking water service and the identification of breakdowns or water loss. To date, FEMA has allocated over $33 billion for recovery projects in Puerto Rico after Hurricane María, with AAA receiving over $3.6 billion for water distribution and treatment facilities.
The installation of the new meters will enhance water service efficiency and reliability for over 1.4 million residences and businesses in Puerto Rico, marking a significant step towards modernizing the island’s water infrastructure.