More than 600,000 Cubans are currently without access to potable water, and the Institute of Hydraulic Resources is blaming the nation's ongoing energy crisis. José Antonio Hernández Álvarez, president of the Water and Sanitation Business Group, acknowledged the critical state of water supply in Cuba but asserted that the primary issue is the continuous power outages disrupting the pumping systems.
Water Crisis Hits Havana Hard
The situation is particularly dire in Havana, where over 130,000 residents have been affected for days by the water shortage. Provinces such as Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, and Holguín are also experiencing water supply interruptions, complicating daily life for hundreds of thousands of families reliant on this essential service.
Hernández emphasized that the crisis in the National Electroenergetic System (SEN), characterized by multiple failures in major thermoelectric plants, is a significant factor exacerbating the water supply problem. Power outages halt the operation of pumping equipment, and once electricity is restored, it can take up to four hours to pressurize the system and resume normal water distribution.
In Havana, the epicenter of the crisis has been in areas served by the South Basin, which supplies municipalities like Plaza de la Revolución, Centro Habana, Habana Vieja, and Diez de Octubre. The official mentioned that 16 out of the 19 necessary pumping units have been reactivated, but challenges remain in areas such as Marianao and Playa, where key equipment failures have compounded the situation.
In Villa Clara, the municipality of Caibarién is among the hardest hit, while in Holguín, interruptions persist despite recent repairs. The government claims to have launched a strategy to address this crisis, prioritizing areas with the highest population impact. However, resource scarcity and fuel shortages are hindering the distribution of water via tanker trucks to the most affected regions. In the capital, a tanker of water can cost over 8,000 pesos.
The lack of potable water is a significant issue affecting the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of Cubans. Authorities have announced they will continue working, even on weekends, to alleviate this situation, although definitive solutions seem far from reach.
Understanding Cuba's Water Supply Crisis
The following questions and answers provide further insights into the ongoing water supply crisis in Cuba, its causes, and potential solutions.
What is causing the water supply crisis in Cuba?
The primary cause of the water supply crisis in Cuba is the ongoing energy crisis, which results in continuous power outages that disrupt the pumping systems essential for water distribution.
Which areas in Cuba are most affected by the water shortage?
Havana is one of the most affected areas, with over 130,000 residents impacted. Other affected provinces include Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, and Holguín.
What measures are being taken to address the water supply crisis in Cuba?
The government has implemented a strategy to prioritize areas with the highest population impact and is working on reactivating pumping units. However, resource scarcity and fuel shortages are significant obstacles.