This aqueduct dates to the mid 19th century and it was important for the urban development of Río Piedras.

The waterworks were critical for their supply of clean water which was fundamental to the city's growth along a main corridor that still exists as Ponce de León Avenue.

The waterworks went through many upgrades since then done by American British engineers that were completed by the time of the Spanish-American War of 1898, with some main components installed some years later, between 1917 and 1918.

[2][4] The Puerto Rico Conservation Trust (Para la Naturaleza) currently manages 9 out of the 23 acres of the historic site, and since 2007 has been working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to preserve the site.

[2][5] Current plans for the district include the restoration the site's facilities for use as a visitor center dedicated to research, recreation, and education about the benefits of water resource conservation.