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Wanda L. Molina-Rivera

Publications and source records attributed to Wanda L. Molina-Rivera.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2021

Estimated water withdrawals and use in Puerto Rico, 2015

Water withdrawals and use in Puerto Rico for 2015 were estimated at 2,372 million gallons per day (Mgal/d), which was 21 percent less than withdrawals and use for 2010. The 2015 total water withdrawal and use estimates were the lowest since 1990 and coincided with a substantial decline of 25 percent in saline-water withdrawals for thermoelectric-power cooling processes from 2010 to 2015. Freshwater withdrawals were 671 Mgal/d, or 28 percent of total water withdrawals, and saline-water withdrawals were 1,701 Mgal/d, or 72 percent of total withdrawals. Fresh surface-water withdrawals were estimated at 548 Mgal/d, 10 percent less than in 2010, whereas fresh groundwater withdrawals were estimated at 122 Mgal/d, 2 percent less than in 2010. Saline surface-water withdrawals were 25 percent less than in 2010. Freshwater withdrawals were greatest for public-supply water and irrigation in 2015 and, combined, accounted for 98 percent of Puerto Rico’s total freshwater withdrawals. Withdrawals in 2015 for public-supply water (576 Mgal/d) were 14 percent lower and withdrawals for irrigation (78 Mgal/d) were 104 percent greater than in 2010, possibly because of drought conditions in agricultural counties along the south and southeast coasts in 2015. The sources for public-supply water withdrawals in 2015 included surface water (88 percent) and groundwater (12 percent). Withdrawals for other uses, which account for the remaining 2 percent of Puerto Rico’s total freshwater withdrawals, were lower in 2015 than in 2010; specifically, withdrawals for domestic self-supplied use decreased by 78 percent, industrial withdrawals decreased by 15 percent, and withdrawals for livestock decreased by 25 percent. Freshwater withdrawals for thermoelectric power and mining were greater in 2015 than in 2010, increasing by 23 percent and 5 percent, respectively. The total population of Puerto Rico decreased by 7 percent from 2010 to 2015, from 3.73 million people in 2010 to 3.47 million people in 2015. The number of people who obtained potable water from public-supply water facilities in 2015 was about 3.47 million, or about 100 percent of the population of Puerto Rico. Public-supply water deliveries for domestic use accounted for 338 Mgal/d in 2015, which is 47 percent greater than in 2010, indicating an increase in domestic per capita use from 62 to 98 gallons per person per day from 2010 to 2015. Domestic self-supplied withdrawals were estimated at 0.52 Mgal/d in 2015, for an estimated 4,708 people (less than 1 percent of Puerto Rico’s population). All domestic self-supplied withdrawals were assumed to be from groundwater sources. Irrigation freshwater withdrawals were 78 Mgal/d in 2015 and accounted for 12 percent of the total freshwater withdrawals for all uses. Surface-water deliveries from irrigation districts accounted for 44 percent of total irrigation withdrawals, whereas groundwater withdrawals accounted for 56 percent. About 37,000 acres were irrigated in 2015, a decrease of 11 percent or about 4,000 acres compared to 2010. About 99 percent of the acreage was irrigated by micro-irrigation and sprinkler systems in 2015. About 65 percent of the irrigation withdrawals were accounted for by four municipalities: Santa Isabel, Salinas, Lajas, and Juana Díaz. Altogether, freshwater withdrawals for livestock, industrial, mining, and thermoelectric power accounted for 2 percent (16.2 Mgal/d) of freshwater withdrawals for all uses, 9 percent less than in 2010. About 71 percent of the freshwater withdrawn for these categories was from groundwater sources. In 2015, 50 percent of the total freshwater withdrawn in Puerto Rico was apportioned to six municipalities: Arecibo, Trujillo Alto, Toa Alta, Villalba, Aguada, and Mayagüez. Arecibo accounted for about 18 percent of the total freshwater withdrawals, predominantly for public-supply water use. Trujillo Alto, Toa Alta, Villalba, Aguada, and Mayagüez accounted for about 32 percent (213 Mgal/d) of the total freshwater withdrawals, which were predominantly for public-supply water uses. Withdrawals in some of these municipalities are subsequently distributed to other municipalities such as those in the San Juan metro area. The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority water service area for the San Juan metro area (referred to as W–102) accounted for about 28 percent of the total water delivered from public-supply water facilities to domestic users, which includes about 34 percent of the total population of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico↗
USGS2014

Estimated water use in Puerto Rico, 2010

Water-use data were aggregated for the 78 municipios of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for 2010. Five major offstream categories were considered: public-supply water withdrawals and deliveries, domestic and industrial self-supplied water use, crop-irrigation water use, and thermoelectric-power freshwater use. One instream water-use category also was compiled: power-generation instream water use (thermoelectric saline withdrawals and hydroelectric power). Freshwater withdrawals for offstream use from surface-water [606 million gallons per day (Mgal/d)] and groundwater (118 Mgal/d) sources in Puerto Rico were estimated at 724 million gallons per day. The largest amount of freshwater withdrawn was by public-supply water facilities estimated at 677 Mgal/d. Public-supply domestic water use was estimated at 206 Mgal/d. Fresh groundwater withdrawals by domestic self-supplied users were estimated at 2.41 Mgal/d. Industrial self-supplied withdrawals were estimated at 4.30 Mgal/d. Withdrawals for crop irrigation purposes were estimated at 38.2 Mgal/d, or approximately 5 percent of all offstream freshwater withdrawals. Instream freshwater withdrawals by hydroelectric facilities were estimated at 556 Mgal/d and saline instream surface-water withdrawals for cooling purposes by thermoelectric-power facilities was estimated at 2,262 Mgal/d.

Puerto Rico↗
USGS2010

Source, Use, and Disposition of Freshwater in Puerto Rico, 2005

Water diverted from streams and pumped from wells constitutes the main sources of water for the 78 municipios of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. A better understanding is needed about water-use patterns, particularly about the amount of water used, where and how this water is used and disposed, and how human activities impact water resources. Irrigation practices, indoor and outdoor household uses, industrial uses, and commercial and mining withdrawals affect reservoirs, streams, and aquifers. Accurate and accessible water information for Puerto Rico is critical to ensure that water managers have the ability to protect and conserve this natural resource. The population of Puerto Rico increased 15 percent, from 3.4 million in 1985 to 3.9 million people 2005 and resulted in an increased demand for freshwater, mostly for the public-supply water use category. Almost 99 percent of the residents in Puerto Rico were served by public-supply water systems in 2005. One of the major challenges that water managers confront is the need to provide sufficient freshwater availability in the densely populated areas. Public-supply water is provided by the Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewers Authority (PRASA) and by non-PRASA systems. Non-PRASA systems refer to community-operated water systems (water systems that serve a rural or suburban housing area).

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2008

Estimated Water Use in Puerto Rico, 2005

Water-use data were compiled for the 78 municipios of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for 2005. Five offstream categories were considered: public-supply water withdrawals and deliveries, domestic self-supplied water use, industrial self-supplied ground-water withdrawals, crop irrigation water use, and thermoelectric power freshwater use. One water-use category also was considered: power-generation instream water use (thermoelectric-saline withdrawals and hydroelectric power). Freshwater withdrawals and deliveries for offstream use from surface- and ground-water sources in Puerto Rico were estimated at 712 million gallons per day (Mgal/d). The largest amount of freshwater withdrawn was by public-supply water facilities and was estimated at 652 Mgal/d. The public-supply domestic water use was estimated at 347 Mgal/d. Fresh surface- and ground-water withdrawals by domestic self-supplied users were estimated at 2.1 Mgal/d and the industrial self-supplied withdrawals were estimated at 9.4 Mgal/d. Withdrawals for crop irrigation purposes were estimated at 45.2 Mgal/d, or approximately 6.3 percent of all offstream freshwater withdrawals. Instream freshwater withdrawals by hydroelectric facilities were estimated at 568 Mgal/d and saline instream surface-water withdrawals for cooling purposes by thermoelectric-power facilities was estimated at 2,288 Mgal/d.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2005

Estimated water use in Puerto Rico, 2000

Water-use data were compiled for the 78 municipios of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for 2000. Five offstream categories were considered: public-supply water withdrawals, domestic self-supplied water use, industrial self-supplied withdrawals, crop irrigation water use, and thermoelectric power fresh water use. Two additional categories also were considered: power generation instream use and public wastewater treatment return-flows. Fresh water withdrawals for offstream use from surface- and ground-water sources in Puerto Rico were estimated at 617 million gallons per day. The largest amount of fresh water withdrawn was by public-supply water facilities and was estimated at 540 million gallons per day. Fresh surface- and ground-water withdrawals by domestic self-supplied users was estimated at 2 million gallons per day and the industrial self-supplied withdrawals were estimated at 9.5 million gallons per day. Withdrawals for crop irrigation purposes were estimated at 64 million gallons per day, or approximately 10 percent of all offstream fresh water withdrawals. Saline instream surface-water withdrawals for cooling purposes by thermoelectric power facilities was estimated at 2,191 million gallons per day, and instream fresh water withdrawals by hydroelectric facilities at 171 million gallons per day. Total discharge from public wastewater treatment facilities was estimated at 211 million gallons per day.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1998

Estimated water use in Puerto Rico, 1995

Water-use data during calendar year 1995 was compiled for the 78 municipios of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Eight offstream water-use categories were considered during the study: public supply, wastewater treatment discharges, domestic, industrial, mining, thermoelectric power, livestock, and irrigation. Three instream water-use categories were considered: hydroelectric power, saline water used at thermoelectric power plants, and reservoir evaporation. Freshwater withdrawals for offstream use from surface- and ground-water sources in Puerto Rico were estimated to be 566 million gallons per day. The largest amount of freshwater withdrawn was 431 million gallons per day for public supply. Total discharge from public wastewater treatment facilities was reported as 185 million gallons per day. Fresh surface- and ground-water withdrawals for domestic and industrial self-supplied facilities were estimated to be about 19 million gallons per day. Mining activities, which in Puerto Rico are mostly limited to the production of sand and gravel, withdrew about 4.2 million gallons per day of freshwater. Livestock activities used 6.3 million gallons per day from surface- and ground-water sources to meet the water needs of the 12.1 million animals counted in the 1992 Census of Agriculture in Puerto Rico. Self-supplied ground-water withdrawals for thermoelectric facilities were estimated to be 2.2 million gallons per day. Freshwater withdrawals for irrigation purposes were estimated to be 103 million gallons per day, or approximately 18 percent of all offstream freshwater withdrawals. Instream freshwater withdrawals by hydroelectric facilities were 349 million gallons per day. Reservoir evaporation is considered to be a consumptive use associated with the storage of water. The evaporation from 15 reservoirs in Puerto Rico was estimated to average about 23,900 acre-feet from a total reservoir surface area of 6,900 acres. The largest amount of withdrawals was 2,260 million gallons per day of saline water (instream use) for thermoelectric power.

Open-File Report↗