Puerto Rico has entered a new phase of its ongoing water crisis as authorities begin rationing for thousands of residents in the San Juan region. Severe drought conditions have combined with existing infrastructure challenges to place the island in a difficult position.
More than 180,000 customers of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority are now subject to 48-hour water shutoffs. Officials plan to rotate these service interruptions to different areas throughout the coming days as the utility attempts to manage supply levels.
July marked a record for the San Juan area as it became the driest month in over 120 years. This lack of rainfall caused the primary water reservoir to drop to a critical level. Local government officials acknowledge that the impact of the drought is worse due to years of deferred maintenance on the island's water systems.
Internal political divisions have added to the complications of the situation. Factions within the governing party are trading accusations regarding mismanagement of the utility. As the situation reaches a breaking point, some local communities are taking independent action by reopening historical wells and building their own infrastructure to secure a consistent supply of drinking water.