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Puerto Rico Faces Worsening Water Crisis Amid Severe Drought
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon announced Sunday that local authorities are collaborating closely with federal agencies to address a critical water shortage affecting more than 180,000 households across the island. As a result, residents are enduring 48-hour water shut-offs and rationing measures.
The governor declared a state of emergency on July 31 due to an ongoing severe drought and declining reservoir levels. Since Friday, rotating 48-hour water outages have been implemented in parts of San Juan and surrounding municipalities, including Carolina, Juncos, Gurabo, Trujillo Alto, Canovanas, and Loiza.
In a Sunday press conference, Gonzalez-Colon outlined an activated “interagency support plan” aimed at coordinating relief efforts at the municipal level. “Mayors have direct liaisons within the government,” she explained. “Agency leaders are tasked with maintaining communication to identify urgent needs, support water distribution via trucks, and facilitate interagency cooperation.”
To bolster water access, the island’s Public Housing Administration has started installing community cisterns in several public housing complexes. Additionally, portable water distribution is underway with assistance from the Puerto Rico Fire Department.
The governor emphasized that the territorial government is working closely with federal partners, including scientific experts and a specialized drought committee, to manage the crisis. “Puerto Rico recently recorded its hottest day in a century, with nearly 1,000 active fires on the island,” Gonzalez-Colon noted. July marked the driest month in San Juan in over 120 years and ranked as the city’s fourth hottest July on record.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly 25% of Puerto Rico is currently experiencing severe drought conditions, with an additional 36% under moderate drought.
Describing the situation as “out of our hands,” Gonzalez-Colon warned that the water shortages could worsen if conditions persist. In response to the escalating emergency, Resident Commissioner Pablo Jose Hernandez urged the governor to request a federal emergency declaration from the White House to secure additional support.
Meanwhile, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company reassured the public and visitors that it remains committed to sustaining tourism operations throughout the crisis. The agency confirmed ongoing water distribution efforts to ensure that hospitality services continue uninterrupted in affected areas.
As the island confronts this multifaceted challenge, officials stress the importance of coordinated action to mitigate impacts on residents and the critical tourism sector.