Thousands of people in Puerto Rico still recovering from Hurricane Maria are now living in drought conditions.
Governor Ricardo Rosello stated on February 13 that a portion of the island’s population is facing water rationing. In the plan, which could start as soon as next week, seven municipalities in the northwest region of the island could be without water for up to 24 hours at a time.
Federal officials have said 76 percent of Puerto Rico is experiencing abnormally dry conditions and another 8 percent is in a moderate drought. All told, approximately 220,000 on the island are experiencing drought conditions.
The drought has been exacerbated by a water reservoir that was damaged by Hurricane Maria, which hit the island in September 2017. Officials have stated work to the reservoir could be completed in May.
Rosello’s announcement is similar to statements from Cape Town, South Africa, officials in January 2018. That is when that city set a “Day Zero” of April 21 — the estimated day when the city’s usable water supply would disappear unless significant conservation measures were taken.
Fortunately, Cape Town’s Day Zero was avoided and is an example of what can be done when thousands of people focus on adopting significant water conservation measures.
Water Well Journal® interviewed Cape Town Executive Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson in its August 2018 issue. Neilson, a civil engineer with 20 years of experience in water supply and flood management planning, discussed why Day Zero was established, his city’s conservation efforts, and what can be done in the United States to avoid a similar situation. The full interview can be read here.