Puerto Rico begins water rationing in San Juan and other major cities

Key Points:

• Puerto Rico will begin water rationing in San Juan and several major cities starting Friday, with over 180,000 customers facing 48-hour water cutoffs on an alternating schedule due to a severe drought and extreme heat conditions.
• July was the driest month on record for San Juan in over 120 years, with nearly 25% of Puerto Rico experiencing severe drought and an additional 36% under moderate drought, compounded by a strengthening El Niño and below-average rainfall forecasts.
• Water rationing will also affect neighborhoods in Carolina, Juncos, Gurabo, Trujillo Alto, Canovanas, and Loiza, with no clear end date; potable water will be distributed by trucks prioritizing hospitals and elderly residents.
• Chronic water shortages, predating the current drought, have led to public frustration and legal actions, including a lawsuit by San Juan’s mayor against the Water and Sewer Authority, which has long suffered from underinvestment and maintenance issues.
• Officials emphasize preparedness in health facilities, but community leaders highlight ongoing hardships for vulnerable populations, with calls for transparency and concrete plans to address the crisis from government representatives.