Amid a critical water shortage in the province of Matanzas due to a combination of pumping equipment failures and the energy crisis, the local state-run newspaper Girón documented the misery of the people of Matanzas in accessing this vital resource.
A photo report by Raúl Navarro depicts the struggle to obtain water in the western province: long lines to fill containers, extensive blocks to walk while carrying jugs, and a bit of water collected wherever possible are the themes that run through the images.
The snapshots of what he called "The Water Games" (a clear reference to the movie The Hunger Games), Navarro captured the faces of those who struggle daily to obtain water.
"In Matanzas, access to water has become a daily competition, a silent act of resistance", he acknowledged."
Elderly people carrying gallons of water, empty bottles and tanks, and even individuals bathing in the middle of the street, taking advantage of a leak, are some of the scenes depicted.
Matanzas is facing one of its worst water supply crises in years, with pumping equipment out of service, collapsed hydraulic networks, constant blackouts, and an infrastructure at its breaking point, despite being, ironically, an area with abundant groundwater reserves.
The province has 225 pumping units, but a significant number are inactive or affected: from San Carlos in Jovellanos, through Canímar 3 (Matanzas), San José de los Ramos (Colón), Fructuoso Rodríguez (Limonar), Manuelito (Pedro Betancourt), all the way to the Ciénaga de Zapata.
Additionally, places like Pedro Betancourt, Unión de Reyes, Bolondrón, Jovellanos, Colón, or La Ciénaga have the complexity of pumping very little, he noted.
On the other hand, the energy crisis prevents the systems from operating for more than four or five hours a day, when they should function for at least 16 hours. Furthermore, when the electricity service is restored, the equipment takes up to an additional 4 hours to stabilize.
One of the regime's alternatives for water supply in the province is distribution through trucks. However, this measure faces limitations due to the "affectations" in the distribution routes, and it is not sufficient to resolve the structural problem.
Residents express that what they truly need is a stable service through the aqueduct, which requires significant improvements in pumping infrastructure and hydraulic networks.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Water Supply Crisis in Matanzas
What is the main cause of the water shortage in Matanzas?
The water shortage in Matanzas is due to failures in the pumping equipment and the energy crisis. The province has a deteriorated infrastructure, where many pumping systems are out of service or operating with serious limitations, which is further exacerbated by the inability to run the systems for more than four or five hours a day due to a lack of electricity.
What solutions has the government proposed to improve the water supply in Matanzas?
The government has proposed distributing water through tankers as a temporary solution, but this measure faces limitations due to disruptions in distribution routes and does not address the structural problem. Residents insist that what is truly needed is a stable service through the aqueduct, which requires significant improvements in the pumping infrastructure and hydraulic networks.
How does the energy crisis affect water supply in the province of Matanzas?
The energy crisis prevents pumping systems from operating more than four or five hours a day, when they should be functioning at least 16 hours. Additionally, when the electricity service is restored, the equipment takes up to four additional hours to stabilize, which exacerbates the water supply problem.
What impact does the water shortage have on the population of Matanzas?
The water shortage in Matanzas forces the population to face a daily odyssey to obtain the vital liquid. Residents have to stand in long lines, walk extensive distances carrying water jugs, and rely on any available water source. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of a stable aqueduct service and the insufficiency of trucks to supply the entire population.
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