March 30, 2019 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Over 1,000 volunteers participated this morning in the eleventh Puerto Rico Water Quality Monitoring Day (DMCA) across the island, with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of water quality in Puerto Rico and promoting citizen participation. This was announced by Brenda Torres, executive director of the San Juan Bay Estuary Program (PEBSJ), who was accompanied at a press conference by Tania Vázquez Rivera, secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA); Carmen Guerrero, director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Caribbean; and Juan Carlos Pérez Bofill, executive advisor to the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA).
“During these days, Puerto Rico joins thousands of events around the world hoping to raise awareness about the need to rebuild a first-rate stormwater and sanitation system. Water infrastructure is critical for maintaining a healthy population, for economic development and tourism, and for our mental well-being. It must be a priority for the Government of Puerto Rico and the municipalities to rebuild and develop resilient infrastructure in the face of future natural disasters. It is for this reason that our efforts are multisectoral; water is a resource that concerns us all,” Torres stated.
“This alliance with the San Juan Bay Estuary Program represents yet another opportunity to send a message of collaboration from all sectors for our natural environment. Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility, and this year this activity is particularly significant as it coincides with the launch of a campaign by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) to raise awareness and take effective action regarding global warming. Governor Ricardo Rosselló signed a comprehensive executive order that actively guides us toward resilience, adaptation, and mitigation. At the DNER, we will also contribute to the sustainable development of our environmental resources by opening ecological and conservation-oriented economic pathways. Participating alongside the San Juan Bay Estuary in Water Quality Monitoring Day is part of our responsibility to lead Puerto Rico to where we want it to be,” commented Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources, Tania Vázquez Rivera.
The event, led by the Estuary Program, established 270 monitoring stations across the island. At the San Juan Yacht Club, a boat departed to collect water samples alongside invited officials. Volunteers, along with the Estuary's team of experts, conducted tests in bodies of water throughout the island.
This event was supported by a multi-sectoral group that included the government sector along with the DRNA and AAA, the private sector along with Ford Environmental Donations and the San Juan Yacht Club and Eco Earth, and the federal agency EPA.
To learn more about the Estuary and join as a volunteer, you can find us on the Estuary's website, www.estuario.org, and on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under: EstuarioSanJuan. You can also call us at (787) 725-8165.
“During these days, Puerto Rico joins thousands of events around the world hoping to raise awareness about the need to rebuild a first-rate stormwater and sanitation system. Water infrastructure is critical for maintaining a healthy population, for economic development and tourism, and for our mental well-being. It must be a priority for the Government of Puerto Rico and the municipalities to rebuild and develop resilient infrastructure in the face of future natural disasters. It is for this reason that our efforts are multisectoral; water is a resource that concerns us all,” Torres stated.
“This alliance with the San Juan Bay Estuary Program represents yet another opportunity to send a message of collaboration from all sectors for our natural environment. Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility, and this year this activity is particularly significant as it coincides with the launch of a campaign by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) to raise awareness and take effective action regarding global warming. Governor Ricardo Rosselló signed a comprehensive executive order that actively guides us toward resilience, adaptation, and mitigation. At the DNER, we will also contribute to the sustainable development of our environmental resources by opening ecological and conservation-oriented economic pathways. Participating alongside the San Juan Bay Estuary in Water Quality Monitoring Day is part of our responsibility to lead Puerto Rico to where we want it to be,” commented Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources, Tania Vázquez Rivera.
The event, led by the Estuary Program, established 270 monitoring stations across the island. At the San Juan Yacht Club, a boat departed to collect water samples alongside invited officials. Volunteers, along with the Estuary's team of experts, conducted tests in bodies of water throughout the island.
This event was supported by a multi-sectoral group that included the government sector along with the DRNA and AAA, the private sector along with Ford Environmental Donations and the San Juan Yacht Club and Eco Earth, and the federal agency EPA.
To learn more about the Estuary and join as a volunteer, you can find us on the Estuary's website, www.estuario.org, and on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under: EstuarioSanJuan. You can also call us at (787) 725-8165.
