She said there has been a decrease in the funding provided by the U.S. Office of the Insular Affairs, which is the task force’s main financial supporter.
“While the task force has actively pursued its mission, economic circumstances at both the local and federal levels have reduced funding,” she said.
Delafield said they have obtained funding from other sources, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and OIA’s Operations and Maintenance Improvement Program.
To date, Delafield said, they were able to complete four tank projects — a new one was constructed while three were rehabilitated; and six waterline projects — two for additional waterlines and for detecting leaks and repairing village systems.
The task force, Delafield added, also promoted conservation through three metering projects that have resulted in the metering of all water utility customers.
She said they are pursuing the replacement of the Puerto Rice water tank which is already showing “signs of weakening” and can no longer be repaired.
The task force, she added, completed the rehabilitation of the Isley tank which will be inaugurated on Sept. 30.
