It feels absurd to be surrounded by water on an island, yet experience a water supply shortage at a property you’ve rented for vacation. Several communities in San Juan have been negatively impacted by aging infrastructure, pipeline ruptures, and worsening drought conditions. Unfortunately, we rented a unit in Santurce where our shower and sinks had no water, or only intermittent access. Not ideal in a hot, humid locale for two adults and a child.
We experienced this contrast firsthand: five nights at big-brand commercial hotel with uninterrupted water, followed by a stay with a small local hotelier that told a very different story. I’d been excited to break from the typical resort template and rent an intimate two-bedroom unit for the rest of our trip. I was especially looking forward to a daily soak in the tub off the patio and main bedroom. Welp.
The hotelier offered us another property, but after reading its reviews, we declined and decided to stay put for the night. I sat on the patio and enjoyed the glowing full moon, a gentle breeze, and the waning humidity, while quietly plotting our departure. My sister, my son, and I all wanted one simple thing: water on demand.
We left the next day. I booked a room at another large commercial property with reliable water access. Later, we visited Old San Juan and toured the El Morro fort. During the tour, I learned that one of the earliest reasons Spain took interest in colonizing Puerto Rico was its fresh water: it was the first major island with a reliable freshwater source that ships sailing west from Europe encountered. Spain controlled Puerto Rico for almost 400 years.
It strikes me that constituents today are still fighting for control over water access, just in a different form. My experience makes me wonder what special privileges are extended to billion-dollar entities whose interests hinge on keeping their resort investments profitable. Who wants to book an oceanfront property with inconsistent shower or sink water? And what will it take for neighborhoods and everyday residents to have the same reliable, on-demand water access in their homes and small businesses?
As we explored Santurce, “Exigimos Agua” (“We demand water”) signs were everywhere. The hotelier never mentioned that water access might be an issue, and I believe they were obligated to disclose that to guests. But the bigger question remains: who is responsible for ensuring that all of San Juan’s residents have consistent, reliable access to water?
