- Puerto Rico is rationing water across the island in response to intense drought, forcing tens of thousands of people to go without water for 48 hours at a time.
- Governor Jenniffer Gonze1lez declared a state of emergency in late July as key dams dropped below levels that can support communities.
- Seven of the most populous municipalities are experiencing a rotating schedule of 48 hours or more without water, affecting over 500,000 people.
- Water trucks are making rounds to affected communities, but it is not enough to meet daily needs.
- FEMA announced it would send water trailers to Puerto Rico to assist with water distribution.
- Unionized employees of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority went on strike over $10.50/hour wages.
- Forecasters predict little relief ahead, with odds of below-normal rainfall and above-normal heat exceeding 70% through October.
- Seventy-two percent of Puerto Rico's land area is experiencing drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
- High temperatures have exacerbated the water crisis by increasing consumption and evaporation from reservoirs.
- Infrastructure issues and mismanagement have contributed to one of Puerto Rico's worst water crises since 2015.
- Many reservoirs have lost capacity due to sediment buildup, worsened by Hurricane María.
- Desalination plants are not a viable solution due to high energy consumption and failing infrastructure.
Puerto Rico is facing a severe water crisis as the island grapples with a historic drought affecting over 500,000 residents. The government has instituted a rotating water rationing program, leaving many households without water for up to 48 hours at a time.
Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez declared a state of emergency in late July as key dams dropped below sustainable levels. Seventy-two percent of the island is experiencing drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, compounded by high temperatures and infrastructure issues.910
“For more than three decades, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority has staggered from one crisis to the next,” noted a local journalist, highlighting the systemic failures in water management.
The El Niño weather pattern has suppressed typical late-summer rains, with forecasts indicating a 70% chance of below-normal rainfall through October.
Water trucks are deployed to affected areas, but they are insufficient to meet the daily needs of residents. The current situation mirrors the 2015 drought crisis, which also led to prolonged rationing and disrupted daily life.4
“This year, extreme heat has made the problem worse by increasing water consumption and driving greater evaporation from reservoirs,” experts warn.
Even before the crisis, approximately 65% of potable water was lost due to leaks or unbilled usage, indicating deep-rooted issues in the water supply system.
“The rationing affects seven of the most populous municipalities, with more than 500,000 people impacted. Governor Jenniffer González declared a state of emergency in late July as key dams dropped below supportable levels, and FEMA is sending water trailers to assist distribution.”
Yale Climate Connections
