Thousands of Puerto Ricans are experiencing severe water shortages that have prompted Governor Jenniffer González to activate the National Guard and deploy emergency water distribution efforts across the island.

The shortages primarily affect populated areas including the capital San Juan, where residents report spending up to two weeks without water service. Officials have not publicly identified the specific cause of the crisis, though the governor has acknowledged that the island's water infrastructure has lacked adequate investment and maintenance for decades. Some San Juan customers began reporting intermittent service more than a year ago.

Residents are forced to purchase bottled water, use laundromats, and carry heavy containers up multiple flights of stairs for basic needs like washing dishes and bathing. The situation has particularly impacted elderly and disabled residents, with some requiring hospitalization. Community leaders report that nearly 40,000 customers experienced water outages during the first weekend of June alone.

The National Guard has deployed four trucks with 2,000-gallon capacity each to distribute water, while Puerto Rico's Tourism Company has provided additional trucks with 12,800-gallon capacity to serve hotels. The Department of Agriculture has even repurposed milk transport trucks to deliver potable water. Despite these measures, many areas continue to face shortages.

San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero filed a lawsuit against Puerto Rico's Water and Sewer Authority in late May over the crisis. A judge has ordered the formation of an expert committee to investigate and address the chronic shortages. In February 2025, Governor González appointed Luis González Delgado as executive president of the Water and Sewer Authority, replacing former regional director Roberto Martínez Toledo.

The governor announced Wednesday that all water infrastructure repair projects have begun with a $217 million investment. However, affected residents report they continue receiving bills for water service they are not receiving, adding financial strain to households where more than 40% of the population lives below the poverty line.