Puerto Rico Faces Severe Water Crisis as Drought Intensifies

WHO:

CBS News - Nuria Victoria Escalera, a 50-year-old resident, reported not having running water for over a month in her community in Piñones, a coastal neighborhood in Loíza, Puerto Rico.

CBS News - María Novoa García is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Juan.

CBS News - Gov. Jenniffer González stated, "This situation is out of our hands."

CBS News - Luis González Delgado is the president of Puerto Rico's water and sewer system.

CBS News - Tania Conde Sterling is the president of Puerto Rico's Association of Health Services Administrators.

CBS News - Marcia Soler París is a 61-year-old community leader.

CBS News - San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero filed a lawsuit against the island's Water and Sewer Authority.

CBS News - Puerto Rico Rep. Domingo J. Torres García warned he would go to court regarding the water crisis.

WHAT:

CBS News - The water rationing measures will affect over 180,000 households, with residents experiencing rolling water shutoffs due to a historic drought and aging infrastructure.

CBS News - Rainfall in the next two to three weeks is predicted to be at least 50% below average.

CBS News - The drought is worsening a crisis that many families have already endured for months.

CBS News - Rationing measures will affect more than 180,000 customer accounts, with water outages scheduled for 48 hours at a time.

CBS News - Officials have warned that water rationing could expand to 72 hours at a time.

CBS News - July was the second hottest month on record for San Juan.

CBS News - Residents in San Juan have documented 118 days this year with repeated water outages, with service being intermittent and sometimes shutting off for full days.

CBS News - Residents of San Juan and neighboring communities have been without reliable water for more than 100 days.

CBS News - Officials have warned that water rationing could expand to 72 hours at a time.

CBS News - Rainfall in the next two to three weeks is predicted to be at least 50% below average.

CBS News - Puerto Rico will implement water rationing measures affecting more than 180,000 customer accounts.

CBS News - Rationing will involve 48-hour water outages at a time, with potential expansion to 72 hours.

CBS News - July was the driest month on record for San Juan in over 120 years, with only 0.54 inches of rain.

CBS News - Almost 25% of Puerto Rico is experiencing a severe drought, and another 36% is under a moderate drought.

CBS News - Residents in San Juan have documented 118 days this year with repeated water outages.

WHERE:

CBS News - Nuria Victoria Escalera lives in Piñones, a coastal neighborhood in Loíza, Puerto Rico.

CBS News - The water crisis is primarily affecting San Juan and neighboring communities, including Carolina, Juncos, Gurabo, Trujillo Alto, Canovanas, and Loiza.

CBS News - Nuria Victoria Escalera lives in Piñones, a coastal neighborhood in Loíza, Puerto Rico.

WHEN:

CBS News - Water rationing measures will begin on Friday morning.

CBS News - Puerto Rico previously implemented water rationing in 2020 and in 2015.

WHY:

CBS News - Gov. Jenniffer González stated, "Nothing prevents this from worsening," attributing the crisis to weather conditions and acknowledging the lack of investment and maintenance in the water infrastructure for decades.

CBS News - Gov. Jenniffer González stated, "Nothing prevents this from worsening," attributing the crisis to weather conditions.

CBS News - Experts have predicted a milder 2026 hurricane season, with dry conditions persisting until at least September.

CBS News - Gov. Jenniffer González attributed the crisis to weather conditions, stating, "Nothing prevents this from worsening."

CBS News - The drought is exacerbating an ongoing water crisis that many families have faced for months.

HOW:

CBS News - Large trucks will distribute potable water, prioritizing hospitals and residences for older people, as part of the response to the ongoing water crisis.

CBS News - Large trucks will distribute potable water, prioritizing hospitals and residences for older people.

CBS News - More than $7 billion in federal grants and low-interest loans have been awarded for water infrastructure, with hundreds of projects still in development.

CBS News - Large trucks will distribute potable water, prioritizing hospitals and residences for older people.

CBS News - Hospitals and health centers are prepared for the rationing, according to Tania Conde Sterling.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 16:44 UTC)

In Piñones, a coastal neighborhood in Loíza, Puerto Rico, resident Nuria Victoria Escalera has reported going without running water for over a month, as water rationing measures now impact more than 180,000 households due to a historic drought and aging infrastructure. Governor Jenniffer González has warned that the situation could worsen, linking the crisis to both weather conditions and decades of neglect in maintaining the water system. To address the ongoing water shortage, large trucks will be distributing potable water, with a focus on hospitals and homes for older residents.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 15:49 UTC)

In Puerto Rico, meteorologist María Novoa García from the National Weather Service has reported that rainfall in the next two to three weeks is expected to be at least fifty percent below average, worsening an ongoing drought that many families have faced for months. Governor Jenniffer González emphasized that "nothing prevents this from worsening," linking the crisis to adverse weather conditions. To address the situation, large trucks will be distributing potable water, with a focus on hospitals and residences for older individuals.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 12:39 UTC)

Water rationing measures in San Juan will impact over 180,000 customer accounts, with outages scheduled for up to 48 hours at a time, and officials have warned that this could extend to 72 hours. Residents have already experienced 118 days of intermittent water outages this year, and July was recorded as the second hottest month ever for the area, prompting Governor Jenniffer González to express concerns about the worsening situation due to weather conditions. To address the crisis, large trucks will be distributing potable water, focusing on hospitals and homes for the elderly.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 03:53 UTC)

Residents of San Juan and surrounding areas have faced over 100 days without reliable water, and officials are warning that water rationing could extend to 72 hours at a time. Experts anticipate a milder hurricane season in 2026, but dry conditions are expected to continue until at least September, with rainfall predicted to be at least 50% below average in the coming weeks. In response to the ongoing crisis, more than $7 billion in federal grants and low-interest loans have been allocated for water infrastructure, with hundreds of projects currently in development.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 18:33 UTC)

Puerto Rico is set to implement water rationing measures starting Friday morning, affecting over 180,000 customer accounts across the island, particularly in San Juan and neighboring communities. Governor Jenniffer González has stated that the ongoing drought, which has left almost 25% of the island in severe drought conditions, is contributing to this crisis, with July marking the driest month in over 120 years for San Juan. As part of the response, large trucks will distribute potable water, prioritizing hospitals and residences for older individuals, while health centers are prepared for the upcoming changes.