FEMA said Monday it is sending water trailers to Puerto Rico as the island’s water supply faces rotating 48-hour shutoffs and rationing affecting more than 180,000 households. The federal aid follows a request from the Puerto Rican government and comes after officials began cutting service in several municipalities.
The trailers will be distributed for up to 30 days initially. A FEMA spokesperson said, "This support is intended to assist local efforts as Puerto Rico manages increased demand for potable water distribution in affected communities".
Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon and the state of emergency
Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon declared a state of emergency on July 31 after serious drought and falling levels in water reservoirs. She said Sunday, "Mayors have a direct liaison inside the government of Puerto Rico" and added, "Each head of agency has the responsibility to maintain communication with that mayor, to understand the needs that arise, to channel urgent situations, to support the distribution of water trucks, and to facilitate coordination with the agencies that need to intervene."
That coordination already has a practical shape on the ground. Authorities began rotating 48-hour water shutoffs on Friday in parts of San Juan and in Carolina, Juncos, Gurabo, Trujillo Alto, Canovanas and Loiza, while the island’s Public Housing Administration has begun installing community cisterns in different public housing complexes. Potable water is also being distributed directly to residents with support from the Fire Department.
Puerto Rico drought and shutdowns
The response comes after a stretch of extreme weather stress. July was the driest month on record for San Juan in more than 120 years and the fourth-hottest month on record for San Juan. As of Aug. 4, almost 25% of Puerto Rico was experiencing a severe drought, and another 36% was under a moderate drought.
Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon said Saturday, "We are combining a climate committee, actually a drought committee, with all the scientific people. The federal government is helping us out as well". She also said last week, "This situation is out of our hands" and "Nothing prevents this from worsening," while Pablo Jose Hernandez said, "Faced with the water crisis, Puerto Rico needs an immediate response".
Federal aid in Puerto Rico
The immediate question for residents is which deliveries arrive first and how long the temporary relief can hold while the cutoffs continue. FEMA’s 30-day initial deployment gives local officials a short federal bridge, but the island’s own emergency measures and rotating service interruptions show that the distribution network remains the main line between households and potable water.
