Frontera Creek in Rio Abajo, Puerto Rico, is a small creek that receives industrial waste discharges and drains into the Caribbean Sea 2 miles downstream. Adjacent to the creek are two large fresh water lagoons totaling about 640 acres. They are hydraulically connected to the creek. EPA has found that mercury and pesticides are discharged into the creek. There is concern that these contaminants could enter the aquatic food chain, contaminating finfish, shellfish, and the endangered brown pelican.
Local residents use the lagoons for fishing and recreation.
The finfish and shellfish trapped in the lagoons are significant in the local diet. A community of some 100 homes is adjacent to Frontera Creek. At this time no wells are known to be used for public water or irrigation within 3 miles of the site. Access to the lagoons is limited by barbed wire fence and a security guard. However, EPA inspectors saw a number of local residents on the property during two site inspections.