Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) is the public utility responsible for providing drinking water and wastewater treatment services across Puerto Rico. It operates a network of water treatment plants, storage reservoirs, and distribution pipelines that supply potable water to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. In addition, PRASA manages sewer collection systems and wastewater treatment facilities that process sewage before discharge or reuse. Its core mission is to ensure reliable, safe water service while protecting public health and the environment.

PRASA serves the entire island of Puerto Rico, reaching municipalities from the northern coast to the southern interior. As the sole entity tasked with water and sewer infrastructure under the Commonwealth, its facilities span urban centers and rural communities alike. The authority’s operations include monitoring water quality, maintaining pressure in the distribution system, and responding to service interruptions. While specific customer counts or volumetric figures are not provided in the source material, its role as the island-wide provider underscores its broad geographic reach.

Distinguishing attributes of PRASA include its status as a governmental public corporation that combines utility service with regulatory oversight of water resources. It is positioned as a critical infrastructure provider, essential for daily life and economic activity, and its competencies encompass engineering, environmental management, and emergency response. The March 2023 cyberattack, in which the ransomware group Vice Society claimed responsibility and leaked personal documents, highlighted both the importance of its data protection practices and the vulnerabilities present in water sector cybersecurity despite network segmentation that kept operational technology unaffected.

Structurally, PRASA is owned by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and operates as an autonomous public corporation under the island’s government. Its governance includes a board of directors appointed by the Governor, and it receives oversight from relevant Puerto Rico agencies responsible for utilities and environmental protection. This public ownership model aligns its objectives with territorial policy goals concerning water access, infrastructure resilience, and public welfare.