Puerto Rico is set to impose rotating water rationing across parts of the US territory as an intense drought continues to deplete key reservoirs and threatens regular water supplies for tens of thousands of residents. The emergency measure, which began on Friday, will require affected communities to go without running water for periods of up to 48 hours under a rotational schedule. Authorities have indicated that the restrictions will remain in place at least until the end of August, although the duration could be extended depending on weather conditions and the availability of water resources.
The decision comes as Puerto Rico experiences an exceptionally dry period, with officials warning that there is little immediate relief in sight. San Juan recorded its driest July on record, highlighting the severity of the conditions facing the island. According to the US Drought Monitor, drought conditions are currently affecting nearly 68% of Puerto Rico, putting considerable pressure on water resources and forcing authorities to introduce measures aimed at managing dwindling supplies.
The first phase of rationing will affect seven municipalities, including the capital San Juan. The communities covered under the initial programme depend heavily on the Carraizo reservoir, which has fallen to critically low levels. Authorities have divided the affected areas into two zones, with water supplies being alternated between them in 48-hour cycles. Residents in one zone will have access to water while supplies are cut off in the other, before the system is reversed.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the crisis and said it is difficult to predict how long the rationing will be necessary. She attributed the situation largely to prevailing climate conditions, which have resulted in prolonged dry weather and unusually high temperatures. Officials are closely monitoring reservoir levels and weather forecasts as they assess whether the restrictions can be eased or will have to continue beyond the current timeframe.
Weather forecasts have added to concerns about the island’s water situation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast a greater than 70% likelihood of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures in Puerto Rico between August and October. A strengthening El Niño pattern is expected to suppress some of the tropical weather systems that normally contribute to rainfall in the region during late summer, potentially prolonging the dry spell.
The water shortage is also raising concerns about essential services and vulnerable populations. Puerto Rico’s Aqueduct and Sewer Authority has said it will deploy water tankers to communities affected by the rationing programme. Hospitals and long-term care facilities will receive priority in water deliveries to ensure that critical healthcare and support services can continue operating despite interruptions in regular supplies.
Authorities have also issued precautions to residents regarding water safety. People have been advised to boil water for at least three minutes once supplies are restored, as interruptions in service could increase the possibility of contamination. Officials are urging households to use water carefully during the periods when supply is available and to avoid activities considered non-essential, including washing vehicles and watering lawns.
The crisis is particularly significant for Puerto Rico because the island has faced water shortages during previous periods of severe drought. The latest situation, however, comes amid broader concerns about the territory’s ability to manage extreme weather and maintain reliable infrastructure. The combination of depleted water sources, prolonged dry conditions and high temperatures has placed additional pressure on a system already dealing with significant infrastructure challenges.
With rainfall expected to remain limited in the coming months, authorities are preparing residents for the possibility that restrictions could continue for longer than initially planned. For thousands of people, the rotating schedule means making arrangements around periods without running water and conserving supplies whenever service resumes. Officials are therefore emphasizing responsible water use while continuing to monitor reservoir levels and weather patterns. The unfolding crisis has underscored the growing vulnerability of water systems to prolonged drought and changing climate conditions, with Puerto Rico now relying on rationing, emergency water deliveries and conservation measures to manage its increasingly limited freshwater resources.
