South Aquifer Watershed Project
Santa Isabela, PR
Overview
The South Aquifer Watershed Project in Juana Diaz and Santa Isabel, PR, was initiated in 2005 to address a critical decline of the water table and salt water intrusion into the aquifer. The project aims to protect, preserve and improve the quality and quantity of agricultural resources in the watershed. The project was initiated in three phases to develop alternate water resources in order to allow the South Aquifer to recharge:
- Phase I: revitalization of the main irrigation canal (completed in 2005).
- Phase II: design & construction of conservation practices in Juana Diaz in 2011 - sediment basins to recharge the aquifer, and irrigation reservoirs, grassed water ways & irrigation systems to maximize use of water in the canal and reduce water extraction from the aquifer, directly impacting 1,200 acres.
- Phase III: expansion of the project to Santa Isabel to install similar conservation practices to improve water quality and quantity, directly impacting 2,100 acres.
Conservation Funding and Practices
NRCS conservation professionals are providing technical assistance and planning tools to improve water quality and quantity in the watershed. Planned conservation practices include irrigation water reservoirs and pipelines, irrigation systems, pumping plants for water control, grassed waterways, water & sediment control basins, and vegetated buffers. To help install these conservation practices, financial cost-share assistance is available though the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Partnerships
NRCS identified the south aquifer watershed as an area of concern through the help of the Caribe Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). NRCS and Caribe SWCD are partnering with the PR Department of Agriculture, the PR Land Authority, PR Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, PR Power Authority, and PR Sewer Authority to implement practices to recharge and protect the South Aquifer. NRCS will continue to coordinate with local and state agencies, the conservation district, nongovernmental organizations and others to implement this initiative.
Producer Benefits
Conservation practices benefit agricultural producers by lowering input costs and enhancing the productivity of working lands. Investing in conservation in the watershed will benefit farmers and residents by improving water quantity and quality in the aquifer, improving runoff management, controlling soil erosion, installing water reservoirs for irrigation management, improving irrigation systems, and installing systems to improve water infiltration.
How to Apply
To get started, make an appointment at the Juana Diaz Field Office to see if you are located within the selected watershed. You will need to work with your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff to establish eligibility and farm records for your land. NRCS will help you complete an application while explaining which conservation practices are available in your watershed.
For More Information
Program Contact: José Castro, Assistant Director, 787-766-5206 x117
Field Office Contact: Nicis Vega, Juana Diaz District Conservationist, 787-837-4450 x106
