Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González announced that she is working on an executive order to declare a state of emergency due to the drought affecting the island. The order, expected to be issued on Monday, would freeze prices of essential products such as cisterns and equipment for their installation, facilitate the activation of the National Guard, and streamline purchases, technology use, reimbursements, and water transportation.
The governor noted that the drought situation has worsened, particularly in the Carraízo reservoir, which supplies water to around 180,000 clients in the metropolitan area, including San Juan, Carolina, Trujillo Alto, and parts of Canóvanas, Dorado, and Juncos. While there is no planned interruption of water service, the governor urged residents in affected areas to use water prudently, avoiding activities such as washing cars or using hoses on sidewalks.
The current emergency order only applies to the municipalities of Loíza, Canóvanas, and Río Grande, which have a system of scheduled water interruptions.