Estuario Weekly Update
An estuarine greeting! This week, learn about the latest actions and join the workshops, discussions, field experiences and scheduled tours to benefit the waters connected to the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE).
Deadline Approaches for Submissions on Actions to Improve Infrastructure in the San Juan Metropolitan Region
Remember that you have until Friday, August 15, 2025 to share your comments through the form.
Action Plan #1: Infrastructure of the SJBE Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan revision proposes 52 actions to improve and maintain obsolete and dilapidated gray and green infrastructure that negatively impacts water quality.
The opinion and input of all citizens, the scientific-technical community and other interested persons will help to strengthen these proposed actions for the infrastructure of sanitary water, rainwater, drainage and water exchange, to mitigate erosion and sediment transport, port and boat transport, transport and mobility, collaborative monitoring of water quality and the analysis of impacts from areas outside the current study area.
With your active participation in the revision of the Plan you help to:
💧 Improve water quality
🌳 Increase the amount of green areas
🌊 Prevent flooding
🪸 Restoring ecosystems
We greatly appreciate your support in sharing this information with your colleagues and communities.
Define with us the future of the waters of the metropolitan region of San Juan. The Plan belongs to everyone, because we live in the Estuary.
New urban trail in Old San Juan
Thanks to the great interest in the recently announced urban trail: Discovering the connections between the city’s water and the estuary; we have opened a new group tour for Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Old San Juan. Don’t miss it!
Sign up today, at estuario.org/eventos. This tour counts toward Contacto Verde or community service hours.
Recycling Pop-up in Piñones
The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (SJBEP) will be present at the next LimPiaR Recycling Pop-up, on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Miguel Fuentes Pinet Park in Loíza.
Visit our information table, where you will learn how to properly handle used vegetable oil and your options to prevent it from affecting water infrastructure and natural resources.
Don’t forget to bring your rinsed recyclables. Plastics #1, #2 and #5, aluminum and brass cans and corrugated cardboard (non-gloss) will be accepted. We thank LimPiaR for the invitation and follow-up to this event. This collaboration is part of the community campaign: Deja una huella limpia en Piñones.
Evaluation of microplastics in Torrecilla Lagoon
On Saturday, July 26, the SJBEP carried out the most recent field experience of its Certification for Citizen Scientists’ Microplastic Characterization and Reduction module.
As part of this experience, a group of volunteers supported the evaluation and classification of microplastic samples taken from the Blasina Channel and Torrecilla Lagoon. Thanks to Pedro Alvarado, Adrián González and Alexia Torres, for their support and environmental commitment.
Learn more about the Microplastics Characterization and Reduction module, in estuario.org/ccc.
Planting carried out in Piñones
On Sunday, July 27, the SJBEP carried out a planting of coastal vegetation in Piñones, as a field experience of the Estuario Certification for Citizen Scientists’ Coastal Resilience module, together with ASEZ-STAR. We planted about 216 specimens of red mangrove, beach bean and palm trees.
In addition to planting, the group cleaned up the area and processed about 500 red mangrove propagules. 55 volunteers participated, committed to dune restoration and the protection against coastal erosion. Thank you for making this journey possible!
Citizen Scientist Certification
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. See more information in estuario.org/ccc. These activities count toward community service and Contacto Verde hours.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-chemical parameters; Tuesday, August 12, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Water Quality Monitoring Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, Aug. 14, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Workshop on Characterization and Reduction of Microplastics; Thursday, August 14, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, August 9, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, August 9, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, August 16, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, August 16, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Prepare for this Hurricane Season
Get ready for this hurricane season. Download the Estuario Community Hurricane Preparedness Guide and follow its recommendations. The strength and resilience of your community starts at home.
Also visit the Estuario Virtual Community Hub, where you’ll find vital information such as relevant emergency numbers and instructions for preparing emergency backpacks.
Don’t get scared! Get prepared.
Weekly water quality monitoring
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, August 7, 2025. We have a GREEN flag for Condado Lagoon. All stations resulted within the “Beach Action Value” water quality parameter of 70 CFU/100 ML enterococci. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
