Puerto Rico faces severe drought as 180,000 households and businesses forced to ration water

Puerto Rico is set to begin water rationing in San Juan and nearby areas due to a severe drought, with no end in sight. Over 180,000 customer accounts will face water shortages of 48 hours each starting this Friday. The rationing will also impact communities in Carolina, Juncos, Gurabo, Trujillo Alto, Canovanas, and Loiza. Governor Jenniffer González blamed the weather conditions, warning that the situation could worsen and even extend to 72 hours of rationing.

July was the driest month on record for San Juan since 1899, with only 0.54 inches of rain, and the second-hottest month. Nearly 25% of Puerto Rico is experiencing severe drought, while 36% is under moderate drought. Experts predict a milder hurricane season in 2026, but the drought will persist until at least September due to El Niño.

Puerto Rico's water and sewer system president, Luis González Delgado, said trucks will distribute potable water, prioritizing hospitals and elderly residents. Health service administrator Tania Conde Sterling urged calm, stating that hospitals are prepared for the rationing. The drought has worsened a crisis that many families have faced for months, with San Juan residents documenting 118 days of water outages this year.

Some residents, like 61-year-old Marcia Soler Páriz, worry about the impact on bedridden and older people who cannot transport heavy water containers. San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero had sued the Water and Sewer Authority in May, accusing it of lacking investment and maintenance for decades. Puerto Rico Rep. Domingo J. Torres García threatened legal action if he does not receive a response about the chronic water issues.