Above: the countryside in Las Marias, PR

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño announced today the investment of $51.5 million in a plan to improve the quality of drinking water in Las Marias.

The second phase of the programme could benefit as many as 6,800 families in the region.

“We will optimize our system of water distribution so that all Puerto Ricans, whether on the coast, in the city or in the mountains, can enjoy a reliable and high-quality water service,” Fortuño said.

The second phase of the project includes improvements to seven storage tanks, the construction of two new umping stations and the installation of 13.1 miles of new distribution pipe connected to a filtration plant that was inaugurated Wednesday.

Fortuño additionally announced the third phase of a similar project in Lareas, which will see an investment of $5.1 million. That project will begin in June.

The project is expected to create approximately 750 jobs in the area.