Puerto Rico faces island-wide water shortage as drought prompts 48-hour rationing

Residents of San Juan’s Ocean Park neighborhood received a brief reprieve on August 10 when a small flow returned to their taps after nearly two weeks without water. Engineer Cassandra Ramirez King quickly filled buckets, washed her hair and ran a few laundry loads, but said the episode highlighted a “constant state of chaos” and a “crisis of leadership.”

The governor declared a statewide emergency on August 4, triggering mandatory 48-hour water rotations for more than 180,000 people across San Juan and several surrounding municipalities. The drought, the driest July on record for the capital in more than a century, has left 25 % of the territory in severe drought and another 36 % in moderate conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. FEMA has pledged water trailers for up to 30 days, while the federal administration has not yet commented.

Households without private cisterns rely on emergency water trucks, bottled water purchases and makeshift collection methods such as gathering condensation from air-conditioning units. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with health conditions, face heightened risks of gastrointestinal illness and vector-borne diseases. More than 40 % of the population lives in poverty, making regular bottled-water purchases unaffordable for many.

“We are helping each other while the government remains silent,” Ramirez King said, adding that conflicting directives and a lack of preparedness have exacerbated the situation.

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) operates over 50 distribution points and warns that the rotating schedule could be extended to 72 hours. As of early August, 13 reservoirs reported declining levels. Governor González-Colón acknowledged that the situation “is out of our hands” and warned it could worsen.

Long-time water-shortage tracker Hilda Rodriguez, who lives in the Monteflores district of Santurce, noted that her community’s days without water have risen dramatically over the past five years, reaching 193 days this year with only 30 days of service. Despite owning a cistern, she said it is insufficient for daily needs and that repeated complaints to the water utility have gone unanswered.

Experts point to aging infrastructure and high leak rates as underlying causes. PRASA estimates that 50,000-55,000 leaks are repaired annually, yet water-loss studies suggest up to 60 % of treated water never reaches households. A major pipeline rupture in June left tens of thousands without service, and intermittent pressure problems persist.

Governor González-Colón urged residents to conserve water, criticizing wasteful practices such as washing cars, watering lawns and maintaining private pools. Critics argue that visible water use continues at hotels, golf courses and historic sites, creating a perception of double standards.

Local business owner Jossie Valentín described the shortage as a “humanitarian crisis,” noting that the lack of water has disrupted tourism, increased household expenses and forced residents to rely on neighbors for supplemental supplies.