The lack of personnel though is not the only reason why complaints from customers are not immediately attended to, according to Mariano Iglecias, the water and wastewater division operation manager.
There’s also a problem with their equipment, he said.
When there’s a problem in the field, the needed equipment and tools may not be available at the same time, he added.
According to Iglecias, when responding to a complaint they have to analyze the extent of the damage especially when the problem affects the installation of underground public utilities.
“If it poses a danger to the homeowners we have to protect primarily the life of the individual, then the property and the environment,” he said.
“We are prioritizing the emergency cases that may occur daily and we address the most severe problems but this depends also on the availability of materials,” Iglecias said.
There are 28 unfilled positions for the water and waste water division, but even if the vacancies are filled up the division will still not have the ideal workforce to effectively serve the commonwealth population, he said.
He said lack of funds prevent them from hiring personnel, adding that they have to maximize the available manpower to address the shortage of workforce.
“We are presently multi-tasking our personnel and are working overtime,” he added.
Iglecias is hoping the public will understand if their complaints are not immediately attended by the water and wastewater division.
“Our main task is to provide service as quickly as possible,” he noted. “We need feedback from our customers and we appreciate their calls.”
