Puerto Rico is facing an unprecedented water crisis, with thousands of residents and businesses struggling to access reliable running water. The prolonged shortages, which began in May and worsened significantly in June, are sparking widespread public outcry and economic hardship. The situation has echoes of the devastating impact of Hurricane María in 2017, when entire communities were left without power or clean water for weeks.
Jonathan Collazo, a San Juan restaurateur with two establishments, is among those feeling the strain. He estimates that he's spending up to £470 per day on water refills alone, highlighting the immense financial burden placed on businesses in the absence of functional infrastructure. Café Regina, another local business, has been tracking its daily water-related expenses and reports costs of around £235 a day.
The crisis is not new to Puerto Rico, with long-standing issues surrounding ageing infrastructure and inadequate maintenance contributing significantly to the problem. However, the situation took a drastic turn in June after a major rupture in the 72-inch Superaqueduct pipeline in Bayamón. This incident was compounded by subsequent disruptions at water treatment plants and reservoirs, leading to widespread outages extending beyond San Juan to municipalities including Loíza, Guaynabo, and Bayamón.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Governor has activated the National Guard to distribute drinking water across the US territory. While distribution stations have been established in densely populated areas, many residents are struggling to secure water for essential needs like bathing, flushing toilets, and drinking. Marta Acevedo, a 75-year-old San Juan resident, noted that this period marks the longest she has been without reliable running water in 44 years.
The economic burden is particularly heavy on the island's 3.2 million inhabitants, with over 40% living below the poverty line. Many are forced to pay a premium for bottled water or dedicate significant time collecting it from distribution points. The Mayor of San Juan has initiated legal proceedings against Puerto Rico’s Water and Sewer Authority in late May, underscoring the growing pressure on the utility to address ongoing failures.