Puerto Rico will initiate a rotating water rationing program starting Friday due to an intense drought, a measure that will leave tens of thousands of residents without water for 48-hour periods.
The rationing is expected to continue through at least the end of August, according to information from the U.S. territory’s Aqueduct and Sewer Authority. Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez stated at a press conference Wednesday that the duration of the rationing is uncertain.
"This situation is out of our hands," Gonzalez said in a press release. "It is the result of the climate conditions we’ve been facing."
The island's capital, San Juan, recorded its driest July ever, according to the National Weather Service. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that nearly 68% of Puerto Rico is currently experiencing drought conditions.
Forecasting suggests limited relief, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting a greater than 70% probability of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures for Puerto Rico between August and October. This outlook is attributed to a strengthening El Niño pattern, which is expected to suppress the tropical waves that typically bring rain to the island in late summer.
The current phase of water restrictions will affect seven municipalities, including San Juan, all of which are served by the Carraizo reservoir. Authorities report that the reservoir's levels are critically low.
Affected areas have been divided into two zones, which will alternate between having and not having water service on 48-hour cycles.
The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority has announced it will deploy water trucks to affected communities, with priority given to hospitals and long-term care facilities. The authority also advised residents to boil water for at least three minutes after service resumes as a precautionary measure against potential contamination. Customers are also asked to conserve water during service periods and refrain from non-essential uses such as washing cars or watering lawns.