Recently held in the area south-central of the island, the Third Regional Meeting of Community Aqueducts with the purpose of developing a national organization that groups, supports and represents the aqueducts that exist on the island, where there are approximately 242 communities with these water infrastructures independent of the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority.
The purpose of this meeting, and of the first two meetings held in the regions of center y southwest, The main objective of this initiative was to publicize the development of the initiative promoted by the Community Foundation of Puerto Rico (FCPR) and the election of representatives in each geographic area to create what will become the national organization.
The initiative is part of the Water for Us Program of the FCPR and is the sequel of three regional events held during 2019 in Añasco, Aguas Buenas and Adjuntas. In previous meetings, leaders of these communities shared challenges and knowledge and identified the need to formalize a national group to represent them in order to address their challenges and opportunities. The development of this network facilitated by the FCPR is supported by a contribution of $$250,000 of Global Giving.
The fourth meeting will soon be held at the eastern region, The fifth will be to elect what would be the general board of an organization of community aqueducts in Puerto Rico.
The third meeting was attended by 13 communities from Ciales, Coamo, Corozal, Orocovis and Utuado, and a total of 39 people. The communities that attended were:
- Hato Viejo Cumbre, Ciales
- San Diego Residents Association, Coamo
- Pozo Azul Aqueduct, Ciales
- Taita Aqueduct, Orocovis
- Community Support Barrio Caonillas, Utuado
- Limones Community, Orocovis
- Divisoria Community, Corozal
- Pellejas Aqueduct, Orocovis
- Saltos Pellejas Aqueduct, Orocovis
- Los Miranda Aqueduct, Orocovis
- Bo. Mata de Caña, Sector El Perico, Orocovis (Mata de Caña Residents Assoc.)
- Sabana Neighborhood, Orocovis
- La Cascada Milagrosa Association, Utuado
The representatives of the south-central region are: Arturo Chévere from Hato Viejo Summit; Feliciano Santiago and Perseverando Díaz de la San Diego Residents Association; Juan Irizarry del Caonillas Neighborhood Community Support Group; Fernando Berríos de la Divisional Community; Luis Torres del Pellejas Aqueduct; Carmelo Colón de la Limones Community, José Torres de la Salto de Pellejas Community and Iris Torres de la La Cascada Milagrosa Association.
The representatives of the first two regions were also elected at their respective meetings.