Serious Threats to Water Quality and Supply
Water quality, its protection, and conservation are critical issues for the sustainable development of a country. Similarly, marine and coastal resources depend on the sustainability of water resource use and its interaction with the soil resource. For this reason, the Sea Grant College Program actively promotes strategies to control water and soil pollution caused by both point and non-point sources of contamination. We develop extension educational projects ranging from promoting the use of natural detergents in our homes to good environmental navigation practices. Additionally, we engage in matters related to the formulation of sustainable public policy and in the individual and collective training of members of our communities.
Global warming, unplanned coastal development, and urban sprawl are serious threats to water quality and our supply of this resource. Many rivers reflect high levels of chemical pollution, wastewater, and sediments that eventually reach our shores. Wetlands and streams are severely altered by processes such as wetland filling and watercourse diversions. This has caused severe droughts and coastal floods that in turn significantly contribute to climate change in our Caribbean region. Also, the eutrophication of our reservoirs and waste from industries, agriculture, commerce, and residences continually threaten the health of our island’s coastal waters.
For this reason, in the Sea Grant Program of the University of Puerto Rico, we work tirelessly on the development and implementation of various training and education strategies for the protection and conservation of water resources, sustainable coastal development, the viability of renewable energy sources, the implementation of state regulations, and the development of a problem-solving attitude by all citizens. That is our challenge, and we want you to join us.
SEPTIX III
The Sea Grant College Program, student Karen González from the Department of Civil Engineering, and the Agricultural Extension Service of the University of Puerto Rico, in collaboration with the Committee for Pollution Control from Non-Point Sources in the Coastal Zone of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico, have developed the computerized program SEPTIX III. This program, in Excel worksheet format, allows you to determine if your residential septic system has the appropriate dimensions and characteristics to operate correctly according to current regulations for the island of Puerto Rico. It also provides recommendations on the capacity and appropriate dimensions of these systems and alternatives to improve their performance.
SEPTIX III addresses the three main components of residential septic systems in Puerto Rico, namely (1) the septic tank or receiver, (2) the filtering tank, and (3) the absorption trenches. The program was designed taking into account the certification requirements established by the Regulations and Permits Administration (ARPE) for the construction of septic systems in single-family residences and the “International Private Sewage Disposal Code, UBC-1997, Volume I.”
We hope that the program is useful to you and that you share it with your neighbors, coworkers, and anyone else who may be interested. For comments, questions, or suggestions, please write to us at our email address anavarro@uprm.edu or call our offices at 787-832-4040, extension 2509.
Non-PRASA Aqueducts
Water is a natural resource necessary for the well-being and health of people. Its use and management are essential to create a sustainable and resilient public system against any environmental adversities. The implementation of water conservation practices aims to develop the resource of Sustainable Waters. It provides the benefits of preparing rural communities to face natural disturbances such as droughts, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Potable water conservation practices potentially preserve natural resources and reduce the risks of water-related diseases.
Who we are and what we do
This page was created with the intention of educating and empowering communities along the Puerto Rican coasts to become resilient to extreme events, economic disruptions, and other threats to the community.
Non-PRASA Rural Aqueduct Systems supply approximately 3% of the Puerto Rican population. Our main focus is community resilience and sustainability. Our goals are: i) to collect data for biochemical analysis, ii) to conduct visual assessments with GIS programs, iii) to use the collected data as a tool to develop systems with higher sanitary hygiene, and iv) to assist owners of the studied systems in updating the worker protection standard (WPS).
Links to educational websites
