Puerto Rico’s Water Crisis Deepens as Two Main Reservoirs Near Critical Levels
Puerto Rico's water crisis deepened this week as the Carraizo reservoir neared its critical control level and La Plata approached rationing, with a third of the island in extreme drought. The post Puerto Rico’s Water Crisis Deepens as Two Main Reservoirs Near Critical Levels appeared first on The Rio Times .
Puerto Rico's critical water situation worsened this week as two key reservoirs neared dangerous levels and a pump failure left thousands without service. The Carraízo reservoir, which supplies the San Juan metro area, dropped 7 centimeters in 24 hours, bringing it to 37.34 meters. At this rate, it could reach the 37-meter trigger within days, at which point the dam would become inoperable.
The La Plata reservoir, serving about 131,000 accounts, was already at 45.42 meters, close to its rationing threshold of 44.90 meters. A breakdown in a water extraction pump at La Plata further exacerbated the issue, leaving thousands without service. Both reservoirs feed the same urban belt, providing water to the entirety of Puerto Rico's northeast.
If levels continue to drop, rationing could extend to one day with service and three without. The drought's impact extends beyond the capital, affecting rural areas as well, with more than 1,000 forest fires reported this season. The government has declared a drought emergency and is requesting $300 million in federal funding for drought relief.
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