By: Virgin Islands Free Press News Desk
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Neighboring Puerto Rico has initiated emergency water rationing measures across major municipalities, including the capital city of San Juan, as a severe regional drought and relentless summer heat continue to deplete critical reservoirs.
Under the government’s plan, more than 180,000 utility customer accounts—representing hundreds of thousands of residents—will endure rotating 48-hour service shutoffs as authorities attempt to preserve shrinking supplies.
“This situation is out of our hands,” Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González stated during a public briefing. “It is the result of the climate conditions we’ve been facing. Nothing prevents this from worsening.”
Record Heat and Dry Weather
According to data from the National Weather Service, San Juan logged its driest July in over 120 years—recording a mere 0.54 inches of rainfall—alongside its second-hottest July on record.
Data from the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that nearly 68% of Puerto Rico is currently experiencing abnormal dryness or drought conditions, with roughly 25% of the island categorized in severe drought.
The rationing scheme primarily targets communities reliant on the Carraízo reservoir, where water levels have plummeted to critical thresholds. In addition to San Juan, affected municipalities include:
- Carolina
- Trujillo Alto
- Canóvanas
- Loíza
- Gurabo
- Juncos
Meteorologists attribute the severe lack of rainfall to a strengthening El Niño pattern, which suppresses the tropical waves that typically bring essential moisture to the northeastern Caribbean during the late summer months. Forecasts indicate below-average rainfall could persist through October.
Infrastructure Pressure and Public Outcry
While weather is the primary driver of the current reservoir depletion, residents and local leaders point out that chronic infrastructure problems have exacerbated the crisis.
Prior to the official drought declaration, several San Juan neighborhoods had already documented more than 100 days of intermittent water outages this year due to aging distribution pipes and lack of system maintenance. The persistent outages previously prompted San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero to file legal action against the island’s Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA).
Officials stated that water trucks (water tankers) are being deployed to supply critical infrastructure, prioritizing hospitals, long-term care facilities, and vulnerable communities. Residents are advised to conserve water during 48-hour service windows and boil water for at least three minutes once service resumes to prevent contamination.
The current emergency marks Puerto Rico’s most significant water rationing effort since 2015 and 2020, serving as a stark reminder of the broader hydrological challenges facing island infrastructure throughout the Caribbean basin.
