Estimated water use in Puerto Rico, 1980-82

Abstract

Estimates of water use at 78 "municipios" were compiled from Commonwealth government of Puerto Rico agencies for 1980-82.The estimates include offstream and instream uses. Offstream uses include categories of public-water supply (domestic, commercial, and industrial users), rural (domestic and livestock), irrigation, thermoelectric power generation, and public waste-water treatment.Instream uses include only hydroelectric power and thermoelectric power seawater withdrawals.Results of the compilation show that the estimated total water use (surface-and ground-water sources) in Puerto Rico during 1980-82 were as follows:

Hydrogeology and ground-water/surface-water relations in the Bajura area of the Municipio of Cabo Rojo, southwestern Puerto Rico

“…The main source of water in this area is provided by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) from a well field in the Bajura area adjacent to the urban area of Cabo Rojo. This well field provides about 2.5 Mgal/d of water from the water-table aquifer in the Bajura area (Gomez-Gomez and others, 1984;Colon-Dieppa and Quinones-Marquez, 1985;Torres-Sierra and Aviles, 1986). The pumpage in this well field will likely increase as the water demand in the Cabo Rojo area also increases.…”

Assessment of nitrate contamination of the upper aquifer in the Manati-Vega Baja area, Puerto Rico

“…), unknown date of measurement; ddmmss, degree-minute-second; obs., observation; (a), spring; (b), surface water; quality of water analyses published by Conde-Costas and Rodriguez- (1969) n/a n/d 36 (1995) 34 (1995) 3 (1987) 12(?) n/a The estimated household wastewater discharge to septic tanks was estimated from domestic water use data available for 1982 for public-water supply unsewered customers (Torres-Sierra and Aviles, 1986). The per capita total nitrogen excreted by humans, which averages 17 grams per day (Kaplan, 1987), was used in calculating the maximum potential nitrate load from septic tanks to the sub-surface.…”

“…The potential nitrate load to the upper aquifer from septic tanks was computed from domestic wateruse data (Torres-Sierra and Aviles, 1986) and the per capita total nitrogen excreted by humans, which averages 17 grams per day (g/d) (Kaplan, 1987). Domestic water-use data available for 1982 for the municipality of Manati indicates that approximately 4,160 m3/d of water was supplied to 5,852 households (domestic household connections) of the public watersupply distribution system without sewage service.…”

Quality-assurance plan for water-use program activities of the Caribbean District

“…The Caribbean Water-Use Information Program began in 1980 to provide data to government agencies in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, water resources managers and planners, and the general public. Since 1980, seven reports have been prepared: "Estimated water use in Puerto Rico, 1980" (Gomez-Gomez andothers, 1983), "Estimated water use in Puerto Rico, 1980-82" (Torres-Sierra andAviles, 1986), "Estimated water use in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, July 1983-June 1984" (Torres-Sierra and Dacosta, 1984, "Estimated water use in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, October 1983-September 1985" (Torres-Sierra, 1987, "Estimated water use in Puerto Rico, 1986-87" (Molina and Dopazo, 1995), "Estimated water use in Puerto Rico, 1988-89" (Dopazo and, and "Public-supply water use and wastewater disposal during 1990" (Molina, 1996).…”