One of the two main water lines that connect the reservoirs in the northwest system to the Quintero water treatment plant in Santiago de Cuba suffered a break last Tuesday, leaving 80% of the city without water supply. Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Santiago de Cuba province, announced on Facebook that the 1,000 mm water main, which supplies the city with water from the Gilbert, Charco Mono, and Gota Blanca reservoirs, experienced a malfunction.
She noted that the break affected the distribution of the precious liquid to the Quintero system, which serves 80% of the city's population. Additionally, she mentioned that the failure was located at a joint in the section situated in Melgarejo (El Cobre) and that the welding repairs were completed on Thursday, describing this as a significant achievement given the "difficult conditions, under rain."
Johnson indicated that early Thursday, tests began to ensure the break was fixed, "to resume the operation of the system, which will guarantee the water supply to the Quintero water treatment plants and distribution to the population," she stated.
Similarly, the Aguas Santiago Water and Sewer Company reported that once the service is restored, priority will be given to hospitals and other state centers. An official note from Tele Turquino warned that tanker trucks would be used, alerting these places "to take all measures to ensure the continuation of their services."
According to the information published in the statement, some hydrometric sectors in Santiago de Cuba have been without water for more than 10 days, and this will be extended by the time it takes to repair and restart the system.
Last May, over 100,000 people in Ciego de Ávila were left without water supply for more than 48 hours due to a break in one of the main water pipes. The malfunction occurred in the 800 mm diameter water main at the exit of the Tanque Apoyado pump station, which supplies the southern zone of the city, according to a report by the official Invasor newspaper.
However, the biggest issue with water supply in Cuba is related to power outages. Currently, due to electricity cuts, at least 700,000 people do not receive water daily, as the hydraulic sector is the second-largest consumer of electric power after the population's demand, according to official sources.
Although the number of people without daily water supply due to power outages is alarming, only half of the Cuban population receives water regularly, while the rest face issues due to various causes, such as drought, lack of distribution networks, breaks, and corruption, among others.
FAQs About Water Supply Issues in Santiago de Cuba
Given the critical situation with the water supply in Santiago de Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and answers to provide more insight into the problem and its broader context.
What caused the water main break in Santiago de Cuba?
The break occurred in a 1,000 mm water main that supplies water from the Gilbert, Charco Mono, and Gota Blanca reservoirs to the city. The failure was located at a joint in the Melgarejo (El Cobre) section.
How long will it take to repair the water main?
The welding repairs were completed on Thursday, and tests began to ensure the break was fixed. However, it may take additional time to restore full water supply to all affected areas.
What measures are being taken to ensure water supply to essential services?
Once the service is restored, priority will be given to hospitals and other state centers. Tanker trucks will also be used to ensure these places can continue their services.
What are the broader issues affecting water supply in Cuba?
The biggest issues include power outages, which affect the hydraulic sector's ability to deliver water, drought, lack of distribution networks, breaks, and corruption. Only half of the Cuban population receives water regularly.