Governor Jenniffer González Announces Water Rationing for Puerto Rico Cities Amid Severe Drought
Governor Jenniffer González announced that Puerto Rico will implement water rationing measures starting Friday to address a deepening drought crisis. More than 180,000 customers in San Juan and several other major cities, including Carolina and Loiza, will face 48-hour water cutoffs on an alternating schedule. The administration acknowledged that the situation is largely driven by weather conditions, with July being the driest month on record for San Juan in over 120 years. To mitigate the impact, Luis González Delgado, president of Puerto Rico’s water and sewer system, stated that large trucks will distribute potable water, prioritizing hospitals and residences for older people. While some residents, such as community leader Marcia Soler París, expressed frustration over existing shortages, the governor noted that the agency's infrastructure has suffered from decades of underinvestment. The rationing measures are expected to persist as dry conditions are projected to continue through September, with rainfall in the coming weeks expected to be at least 50 percent below average.
Sources
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Puerto Rico begins water rationing in San Juan and other major cities as crisis deepens
The Independent
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Puerto Rican cities hit with water rationing measures during record drought
Al Jazeera
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Puerto Rican cities hit with water rationing measures as record dry conditions persist
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
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Protesters Demand Gov’t Action on Puerto Rico’s Ongoing Water Crisis
Democracy Now!