Related videos:
A break in the main pipeline of the Northwest system left large sectors of Santiago de Cuba without water supply during the early hours of this Friday, according to a statement from the Water and Sewage Company Aguas Santiago, released by CMKC Radio Revolución.
The breakdown occurred in the 1,000 mm high-density polyethylene pipe located before the dairy farm in the town of El Cobre, along the stretch that carries water to the Quintero I and II Water Treatment Plant, a central infrastructure for the city's water supply.
According to the note signed by the director of the Base Business Unit, Estailis Izaguirre Delis, and approved by the general director Ludmila Rodríguez Barroso, the break “has caused a significant decrease in the volumes of water entering the Quintero system, which requires maintaining temporary restrictions on the service to ensure the responsible management of the available resources.”
The maintenance brigades are, according to the company, "in the phase of organizing the preliminary assurances to begin the repair work," with a technical projection of 48 hours to complete the tasks, after which the gradual restoration of service by sectors will commence.
During the repairs, eight hospitals will receive priority supplies through networks and tanker trucks: the Southern Children's Hospital, the Military Hospital, La Molinera, the Provincial Hospital, the Southern Maternity Hospital, the Northern Maternity-Children's Hospital, the Oncological Hospital, and the Clinical Surgical Hospital.
The hydrometric sectors La Ceiba, Vista Alegre-Ampliación Terrazas-Pastorita, part of Sueño, and Mariana Torre Bajo continue to have service due to their connection to these vital centers.
In contrast, the sectors Maestra 1, María Lina Los Pinos, Los Olmos, San Pedrito, and Jiménez will remain without supply until repairs are completed. The Altamira sector, in the circuit of 14th Street of Luis Daggnes and Comancié, has conditional protection "as long as operational conditions permit," according to the official statement.
It’s not the first time that this same pipeline has failed. A similar break in July 2024 left 80% of Santiago de Cuba without water for several days, impacting hundreds of thousands of people in areas such as Centro Norte, Los Olmos, and the José Martí District.
In March 2026, another breakdown occurred in the same infrastructure, with repairs not starting until April 3.
The new breakdown comes at the worst possible time for the city. The electrical crisis and technical failures have halted pumping stations, and areas like El Cristo had been without water for up to 48 days prior to this breakdown.
More than 60% of the water distributed in the city is not chlorinated due to failures in the generators, which has led to outbreaks of dengue and hepatitis A.
In April 2026, the UN described the water situation in Santiago as one of "systemic humanitarian impact."
Aguas Santiago has enabled the phone 620686 to address inquiries from the public and has urged to "enhance measures for saving and rational use of water during this period."
Filed under: