Alcantarillado Combinado

This page provides information on authorized Combined Sanitary Overflows (CSOs) that are part of the Puerto Nuevo Regional Sewer Plant System (RSPS Puerto Nuevo)
It provides, through a map, information on the location of the points where CSOs may occur, the efforts that the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority makes to reduce the occurrence of these overflows, and information on the impact and precautions that citizens must take to avoid contact with these waters during, or after, an overflow event.

Puerto Nuevo RSPS Combined System

What is the Combined Sewer System of the Puerto Nuevo Regional Sanitary Sewer Plant (RSSP Puerto Nuevo)?

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) operates and maintains the State Water System and the State Sanitary Sewer System for the service of citizens.

As part of the State Sanitary Sewer System, there is a combined sewage system, which is part of the Puerto Nuevo Regional Sewer Plant System.

This as authorized in the National Contaminant Discharge Disposal System (NPDES) Permit number PR0021555 issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In a combined sewer system, both sanitary and stormwater could flow through the same pipe.

Combined System Overflows (CSOs)

Why do Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) occur?

• In rain events, the rainfall contribution to the Combined Sewer System, in addition to sanitary flow, can cause pipe capacity to be exceeded and combined sanitary and stormwater (CSOs) to flow into streets or bodies of water.

• Under the protection of the NPDES Permit of the Puerto Nuevo Regional Sanitary Sewer Plant, the discharge points of the CSOs that are shown on the CSOs Location Map are identified and authorized.