Friday afternoon, CNN watched workers from Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, or AAA, distribute water from a well at the Dorado Groundwater Contamination Site, which was listed in 2016 as part of the federal Superfund program for hazardous waste cleanup. They distributed it to residents of Puerto Rico, who filled small water bottles to later take them home. Trucks carrying that same water drove to all parts of the island, some carrying the name of the municipality of Dorado and others with the words “Agua Potable”, or potable water in English.
The US Environmental Protection Agency announced that the area was polluted with industrial chemicals which can have serious health impacts. It is still unknown whether there are public health risks from that particular well and the EPA is planning to test that area over the weekend. They are worried people are drinking contaminated water, depending on the well. The AAA was unaware that the area was part of the Superfund program. The well was opened only an emergency basis and isn’t a part of regular drinking supply.
It is believed that some of the chemicals in the water include PCE and chloroform. And although those chemicals aren’t a danger to humans, Superfund waters might contain other chemicals. And some people, knowing that the water from that well may be contaminated, continue consuming it.
The fact is appalling. Although it was not intentional to distribute contaminated water to the thirsty population, but it was the lack of organization and communication that has caused the people of Puerto Rico to be at risk of health issues. And now, people are knowingly drinking contaminated water because of how desperate they are.
Their need is so great that they will put their health in danger to ensure that their family gets the water they need. Although there isn’t an eminent risk to their health right now, there is always the chance that they consumed a harmful chemical, which will result in Puerto Ricans being in an even worse state than they already are.
