Puerto Rico will begin implementing water rationing measures starting Friday as the island contends with a record-breaking drought that has left residents without reliable water for over 100 days. More than 180,000 customer accounts in San Juan and surrounding municipalities, including Carolina, Juncos, Gurabo, Trujillo Alto, Canovanas, and Loiza, will face alternating 48-hour periods without access to water. Officials have not yet announced when the rationing will conclude and have warned that outages could extend to 72 hours. This decision follows a summer marked by extreme weather conditions, with July being the driest month in San Juan in over 120 years and the second hottest on record. The drought has intensified existing challenges within Puerto Rico’s water infrastructure, which has long suffered from underinvestment, deferred maintenance, and aging systems. According to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, approximately 36% of the island is currently experiencing a severe drought, while an additional 32% is under moderate drought conditions. Rainfall projections indicate that the next two to three weeks will see at least 50% less than average, further compounding the crisis. Meteorologists attribute these conditions to the strengthening of El Niño, a natural climate pattern that contributes to drier-than-normal weather in the region. The impact of the drought has been felt across daily life, with residents reporting intermittent service, extremely low water pressure, and frequent outages. Some communities have experienced water disruptions for 118 consecutive days, forcing households to rely on emergency cisterns and bottled water. Businesses, too, have faced difficulties, with signs appearing in cafes and restaurants indicating that restrooms are temporarily closed due to limited water supply. In one instance, a community leader described the situation as “chaos,” emphasizing the struggle of residents who must haul water manually to their homes, particularly those who are elderly or physically disabled. Efforts to address the crisis include the deployment of large trucks to deliver potable water, prioritizing hospitals and residences for vulnerable populations. Luis González Delgado, president of Puerto Rico’s water and sewer system, confirmed that such deliveries will continue, though the scale of the operation remains uncertain. Meanwhile, healthcare professionals have expressed confidence in their ability to manage the situation, citing preparedness protocols and established contingency plans. Tania Conde Sterling, president of Puerto Rico’s Association of Health Services Administrators, noted that hospitals operate under strict guidelines designed to handle emergencies, ensuring continuity of care despite the ongoing shortage. The drought has also reignited longstanding concerns about the state of Puerto Rico’s water infrastructure. Last year, San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero filed a lawsuit against the island’s Water and Sewer Authority, citing inadequate investment and maintenance over decades. The governor, Jenniffer González, has acknowledged the systemic failures but placed responsibility primarily on recent weather patterns. Despite billions in federal funding allocated for infrastructure improvements, many projects remain incomplete, leaving critical gaps in the water distribution network. As the crisis unfolds, there are growing calls for immediate action and accountability. Puerto Rico’s congressional representative, Domingo J. Torres García, has threatened legal recourse if no progress is made toward resolving the water crisis. With the population increasingly reliant on temporary solutions and the outlook for rainfall remaining bleak, the challenge of restoring stable water access looms large. For now, the focus remains on managing the immediate effects of the rationing, with officials urging patience and cooperation as they work to stabilize the situation.
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