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The official media Girón reported that health authorities in Matanzas confirmed that the water from the Bello supply source, which had been affected by the discharge of waste from the Cachaza of the Boris Luis Santa Coloma Sugar Mill in the province of Mayabeque, meets the established safety parameters for human consumption.
The announcement was made by Dr. Silvia Isabel Domínguez León and Engineer Evaldo Guerra Báez, both members of the environmental health deputy directorate of the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Microbiology of Matanzas, who explained that the physicochemical and bacteriological analyses of the samples taken do not present any health risks.
Since February 10, the authorities have authorized the resumption of water pumping to the city and have maintained a systematic monitoring of the supply as part of their control measures. They also assured that oversight of the waste disposal processes of the sugar mill remains in place to prevent a similar incident from recurring.
A spillage of cachaza at the Boris Luis Santa Coloma sugar mill caused the contamination of the water supply in Bello, which led to the suspension of water supply to several areas of Matanzas. Shortly thereafter, health authorities detected fecal coliforms in the samples, raising concerns among the population and prompting calls for preventive measures.
The authorities then recommended that residents of neighborhoods such as Versalles, Matanzas Este and Oeste, and El Naranjal boil the water before consuming it and use sodium hypochlorite for disinfection. However, the lack of timely information, the shortage of hypochlorite in pharmacies, and the delay in restoring the service caused discomfort among citizens.
Complaints on social media reflected the dissatisfaction of the population, with reports about the lack of transparency in official communication and accounts that, in some areas, the water arrived cloudy and with a foul odor after the restoration of the pumping. There were also warnings about the impact of power outages on the water service and the insufficiency of the water trucks dispatched as a temporary alternative.
The confirmation that the water is now safe brings peace of mind to the people of Matanzas, but the episode highlights the need for improvements in communication and response mechanisms during health crises, as well as greater regulation of industrial waste that affects the region's water resources.
Frequently Asked Questions about Water Safety in Matanzas
Is the water in Matanzas safe after the cachaza spill?
The health authorities of Matanzas have confirmed that the water pumped into the city is safe for human consumption after conducting physical-chemical and bacteriological analyses. However, they recommend continuing to boil the water as a precautionary measure.
What caused the water pollution in Matanzas?
Water contamination in Matanzas was caused by a spill of cachaza from the Boris Luis Santa Coloma Sugar Mill in the province of Mayabeque, which resulted in the presence of fecal coliforms in the water supply source of Bello. This incident required a temporary suspension of water supply in certain areas of the city.
What measures have been taken to ensure water quality in Matanzas?
The authorities have resumed water pumping after confirming its safety and are maintaining systematic monitoring of the supply. They have also increased oversight of the waste disposal processes from the sugar mill. It is recommended that the public boil water and use sodium hypochlorite for disinfection until further notice.
How has this problem affected the population of Matanzas?
The lack of timely information and the shortage of sodium hypochlorite generated discontent among citizens, who also reported that the water arrived cloudy and with a foul smell. The impact of power outages on the water service and the insufficiency of water trucks as a temporary alternative increased the frustration of the residents.
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