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The water supply situation in Santiago de Cuba has reached a critical point, as in municipalities like Songo-La Maya, residents have waited up to 85 days to receive service, according to the Aguas Turquino Water and Sewage Company.
In Palma Soriano, the most populated municipality of the seven served by the company, the situation is especially alarming: of the 300 liters per second that should be received, only 150 arrive. The city, with about 70,000 inhabitants, has areas where the delivery cycle exceeds 30 days, noted the general director of the entity, Maricela Fernández Hernández.
That municipality "has repeated breakdowns in the pumping equipment; in La Teresita, the equipment collapsed, and the Hatillo Dam is not functioning properly," admitted Fernández in statements to the newspaper Sierra Maestra, without providing technical details or specific timelines for recovery.
The severity extends to the municipalities of San Luis and Songo-La Maya, where the Guaninicum River, the main source of supply, is depleted. In the case of San Luis, “the systems do not have backup with emergency generators, so power outages and the aforementioned drought have been the main causes for areas where water is received after 70 days; a similar situation is present in the town of Dos Caminos,” he explained.
With the pumping equipment malfunctioning, “there were cycles in Songo lasting more than 85 days, just like in La Maya,” the management pointed out, adding that “today the equipment is operating with its generators.”
The only new development is the installation of a new engine in the urban Río Grande system, which barely offers a small respite in a bleak landscape.
In Baire, a town in the municipality of Contramaestre, the distribution system partially depends on photovoltaic solar panels, but the current energy crisis and prolonged blackouts have stretched the cycles to 21 days. Meanwhile, "engineering works" are taking place in Maffo and Nápoles, where breakdowns seriously impact the pumping, the newspaper reported.
In Mella, repairs continue due to leaks in the main pipeline. In Tercer Frente, although the cycle is seven days, the "turbidity in the water" after the rains makes that service far from potable.
The official response can be summed up in one sentence: "Reach first those with the greatest needs, with cycles exceeding 80 days." But there are no guarantees. Without spare parts, without fuel, and with no capacity for immediate response, priorities turn into endless waiting lists.
Several areas of Santiago de Cuba, including neighborhoods such as Punta Gorda Alta and Aguadores, are facing serious difficulties due to the lack of potable water supply, a situation that has persisted for more than four months.
This has forced families to seek alternative sources for supplies, which has increased the challenges, as the situation affects not only household needs but also hygiene and public health in these communities.
The water crisis in Cuba has driven citizens to go out into the countryside to fetch water to meet basic needs, while others have turned to extreme solutions to carry out essential tasks like doing laundry.
Along with the deterioration of basic services, several provinces are experiencing an intense drought that has forced the extension of water supply cycles.
In provinces like Sancti Spíritus, in just one year, the number of people receiving water through tanker trucks has doubled, from about 40,000 in May 2024 to nearly 82,000 currently.
However, the situation is complicated by structural issues: ongoing blackouts, leaks in the pipes, and the decrease in underground reserves are affecting the efficiency of the system.
In addition, there are evident difficulties in eliminating losses in the main outlets and in the tanks of multifamily buildings, which further exacerbates the challenge of ensuring a stable supply in a context of scarcity.
In September 2024, more than 600,000 Cubans were without access to the drinking water supply service, and the Hydraulic Resources Institute blamed the blackouts.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Water Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
Why is there a water shortage in Santiago de Cuba?
The water shortage in Santiago de Cuba is due to a combination of breakdowns in pumping equipment, a lack of backup with generators, and an intense drought. These issues are exacerbated by the energy crisis facing the country, which interferes with the cycle of potable water supply in various areas of the city.
What are the areas most affected by the lack of water?
The municipalities of Songo-La Maya, Palma Soriano, and San Luis are among the most affected. In some of these areas, the water supply cycles have exceeded 80 days, leaving residents in critical situations and forcing them to seek alternative sources for water supply.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to improve the water supply?
The Cuban government has attempted to alleviate the situation by installing a new pump in the urban Río Grande system, but these actions are insufficient to resolve the structural crisis of the water supply. The authorities have prioritized reaching the most affected areas, but without spare parts and fuel, long-term solutions remain uncertain.
How does the water crisis affect the daily lives of the people in Santiago?
The water crisis severely affects the daily lives of Santiago residents, impacting hygiene, public health, and basic household needs. Families are forced to seek alternative sources of water, which increases daily challenges and social discomfort in the region.
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