Bringing Water Security to Espino: The San Lorenzo Filtration Plant Project

In the heart of Puerto Rico’s mountains, the community of Espino in San Lorenzo has lived for decades with a fragile water supply. While 95% of Puerto Ricans are served by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), Espino’s 800 residents have long depended on non-PRASA systems—small, independent water supplies often lacking regulation and resources. These systems, run by volunteers and sometimes elderly community members, struggled with droughts, contamination, and unreliable infrastructure.

A Community at Risk

The challenges in Espino were clear: seasonal water scarcity, steep topography, and outdated or deficient infrastructure. Families often faced service interruptions that could last up to 48 hours, while others had no reliable access at all. Without a sustainable solution, Espino’s most vulnerable population, children, and the elderly—remained at constant risk.

A Vision for Resilience

Through community surveys and participatory processes in 2023, the need for change was undeniable. ECR Engineering collaborated with stakeholders to design a project that was not just about building infrastructure, but about restoring resilience, equity, and dignity in water access. The solution aimed to increase raw water capacity, integrate Espino with surrounding systems, and design for gravity-driven resiliency, reducing dependence on fragile electrical supply.

The Technical Approach

The project was divided into two major phases:

Phase I: • Improvements to existing raw water intakes at Río Emajagua. • Construction of a transmission pipeline and three pumping stations along PR-184 and PR-7740. • Installation of a new 23 km distribution system with 505 connections, bringing potable water to Espino South.

Phase II: • Construction of a new 0.8 MGD Water Treatment Plant. • Additional pumping capacity at the Espino WTP site. • 14 km of new pipelines serving Espino North with 120 new connections. • Demolition of the old, inadequate Espino WTP.

Together, these improvements aimed to deliver a total of 0.85 MGD, partly through transfer from Cayey’s Farallón system and local treatment.

Lasting Impact

Once complete, the project will serve not only Espino but also Quebrada Arenas, Cayaguás, Quebrada Honda, and indirectly support the Jagual system. In total, 10,000 people could directly and indirectly benefit from safe, reliable drinking water.

By reinforcing infrastructure, maximizing system integration, and leveraging natural topography, the Espino WTP project embodies more than engineering—it is about resilience, sustainability, and equity for rural Puerto Rico.