Kathmandu— This summer, over 150,000 residents across seven municipalities in Puerto Rico are experiencing widespread water service interruptions, low pressure, and limited access to clean drinking water. The crisis is fueled by long-standing neglect of critical infrastructure, particularly a major rupture in the superaqueduct – a vital seventy-two-inch water line serving the San Juan metropolitan area – and exacerbated by drought conditions, extreme heat, and the impacts of climate change. While the governor has activated the National Guard to distribute water, many Puerto Ricans are demanding urgent solutions as the crisis coincides with the tenth anniversary of PROMESA, the federal law imposing fiscal control over the island’s finances.

A History of Neglect and Debt

Puerto Rico's current water emergency is not a new phenomenon but rather the culmination of decades of deferred maintenance, financial austerity, and uneven infrastructural investment. The superaqueduct, initially proposed in 1994 during a severe drought under Governor Pedro Rosselló, was intended to bring water from the island’s interior to the densely populated San Juan area. While seen as a potential solution by many at the time, critics warned of environmental damage and high costs. Construction began amidst a major shift in Puerto Rico's economic relationship with the United States following the repeal of Section 936 of the tax code in 1996, which led to job losses and increased government debt.

PROMESA’s Impact on Infrastructure

Completed in 2000 at a cost of $585 million – nearly double initial estimates – the superaqueduct quickly became plagued with problems. Accusations of corruption surrounded its construction, mirroring similar issues with other large-scale projects undertaken during the Rosselló administration. By 2016, it was clear that these projects had contributed to the financial crisis that led to the passage of PROMESA, a law designed to oversee Puerto Rico’s finances through a federally appointed fiscal control board. However, rather than providing relief, many argue that PROMESA imposed further austerity measures, starving public utilities like the AAA (Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority) of resources needed for essential maintenance and upgrades.

Climate Change and Systemic Vulnerabilities

While climate change – including rising temperatures, prolonged drought, and increased variability in precipitation – is exacerbating water scarcity, it’s not the sole cause. Research indicates that these environmental stressors are impacting systems already weakened by decades of neglect and fiscal constraints. The situation was dramatically highlighted by Hurricane Maria in 2017, which devastated the island's infrastructure and left many without access to clean water for months. Despite promises of federal disaster relief, only a fraction of allocated funds have been distributed, leaving Puerto Rico’s public infrastructure vulnerable to repeated crises. A recent report indicates that approximately $13 billion of the $42.6 billion allocated for recovery programs has actually reached the island.

Privatization and Militarization Concerns

The push to privatize public utilities as part of Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring deal is creating a cycle where failures in the electrical grid – now managed by LUMA Energy – directly impact water access, given the interdependence of these essential services. Simultaneously, a growing US military presence on the island raises concerns about resource consumption and potential environmental impacts. The reactivation of military bases requires significant amounts of water, further straining an already fragile system. Critics argue that remilitarization prioritizes external interests over the needs of Puerto Rican communities and exacerbates existing inequalities.

As of late July 2026, despite ongoing emergency measures and the approval of a controversial luxury development project in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico continues to grapple with its water crisis. Advocates are demanding greater investment in public infrastructure, sustainable resource management, and an end to policies that prioritize debt repayment over the well-being of residents.

(With inputs from Jacobin)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.