Havana is grappling with a severe water supply crisis due to a shortage of pumping equipment and unstable electricity, while the Cuban regime continues its multi-million-dollar investments in the tourism sector. Thousands of residents in the capital endure frequent interruptions in access to this essential resource, but the causes remained unknown until this Wednesday when Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), came forward.
According to the local weekly Tribuna de La Habana, Rodríguez explained that the identified issues are closely tied to the lack of hydraulic infrastructure resources and interruptions in the electric supply, complicating the situation further.
Promised Improvements and Public Response
In an attempt to calm the public, the INRH president mentioned that the necessary equipment is expected to arrive between September and December, which will improve the service and extend it to currently underserved areas. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of maintaining transparent communication with the public, informing them about the causes of the irregularities and the ongoing actions to restore service.
However, he failed to keep the community informed in recent weeks, even months. As a result, complaints have surged on social media, with residents of El Vedado neighborhood using these platforms to report the scarcity they are experiencing.
Residents blame the state-owned company Aguas de La Habana for the dire situation in the capital and warn of potential consequences if this crisis is not resolved, stating that Cubans "are not weevils."
It's worth noting that since July 21, residents of El Vedado and other areas have been facing a severe water crisis due to a failure in the 110,000-volt transmission lines that supply electricity to the Cuenca Sur water source.
The same media outlet published a report about the La Aurora community, located on the outskirts of Santiago de las Vegas, explaining that there was a severe water supply problem, but efforts are underway to solve it.
This issue is not new. In March, residents of Santa Fe in the Guanabacoa municipality raised their voices about this situation and were met with indifference from the authorities. A regime official in Havana told them that the reservoirs were dry, so one resident approached the Communist Party, the municipal delegate, and other local leaders, only to be advised: "Don't go anywhere else," as he recounted to the independent digital newspaper 14ymedio.
Understanding Havana's Water Crisis
In light of the ongoing water supply issues in Havana, here are some important questions and answers to help understand the situation better.
What are the main causes of the water supply crisis in Havana?
The main causes are a shortage of pumping equipment and unstable electricity supply, compounded by a lack of hydraulic infrastructure resources.
Who is responsible for addressing the water supply issues in Havana?
The National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) and the state-owned company Aguas de La Habana are the primary entities responsible for addressing these issues.
When can residents expect improvements in the water supply?
The necessary equipment is expected to arrive between September and December, which should improve the water supply service.