Services
Water Distribution System
​
PDMU receives potable water from PRASA at pumping station 359 located in Barrio Buena Vista. From that station, PDMU supplies water to Palmas del Mar and the remaining is deposited in the reserve tanks located at Harbour Lights. The reserve tanks have a combined capacity of 2.1 million gallons. They function as part of a floating system, where the incoming water will be used as part of the community's daily consumption. In an emergency situation, the reservoir can supply 2 to 3 days of normal water consumption. As a PRASA consecutive system, PDMU cannot treat the potable water it receives; PDMU is authorized only for distribution. That is the main reason why we cannot store water without circulation for more than 30 hours. PDMU is required to perform bi-weekly tests to corroborate the quality of the water, using an independent laboratory certified by PRASA.
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
​
The wastewater treatment plant consists of a central facility and a total of five pumping stations that collect and deliver effluent from all facilities and residential units in the complex to the WWTP. The plant operates under a zero-discharge permit issued by the Environmental Quality Board (now the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, DNER). The treatment plant system is a fully aerobic operation with biological reactors, sludge digesters and clarifiers, which treat the effluent that reaches the retention ponds, to be used for irrigation. Before reaching the ponds, the treated water passes to the disinfection tanks to receive, as part of the secondary treatment, chlorine injection, while the sludge is treated by a digestion system. PDMU uses a system known as MIOX for disinfection, in which a salt-water solution is passed through plates where sodium and chlorine are separated by electrolysis. Chlorine is then injected into the water; the aqueous sodium solution is returned to the plant and the disinfected water is discharged into the polishing ponds to be used for irrigation.
Compost – A collateral Benefit of the Treatment System
​
A benefit derived from the treatment plant is the use of the sludge for composting. The digested sludge is dumped into the drying beds and then mixed with the garden waste collected at the complex. This mixture is left in the drying beds for further dewatering and then moved to an open area, deposited in lines, sorted by month and temperature controlled. After 90 days, it is screened and ready for sale as a soil conditioner or fertilizer.
​
Some of the main benefits in landscaping applications are: reduces the need for inorganic additives; helps plants survive better; helps soil retain moisture; contains valuable microorganisms and cost benefits.
​
Prices and Working Hours for Tipping and Compost Services
Water Reserve Tanks
​
In case of an emergency, or if the Eastern part of the Island were to suffer a serious drought, causing the Rio Blanco Filtration Plant to drastically reduce its water flow, it would be impossible for PRASA to supply the total demand of its customers. A situation such as this would prevent an adequate distribution of water service, thus affecting Palmas del Mar. Nevertheless, the PDMU reservoir system would allow the Company to take reasonable measures so that the residents of Palmas del Mar may survive the crisis. In extreme cases, a water rationing plan may have to be implemented in the community of Palmas del Mar to avoid a total interruption of service.