The Cuban government has openly acknowledged its failure to address the ongoing water supply problems plaguing the nation, attributing these challenges to the energy crisis, the embargo, and a shortage of essential materials. Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), reported to the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) that between 60% and 70% of the disruptions in water supply are due to issues within the national electro-energy system and a lack of fuel to operate distribution trucks.
In a television interview with the National Television News (NTV), Rodríguez stated, "There is no doubt that by 2025, as the national electro-energy system improves, we will be in a much better position." One of the most pressing issues is the existence of more than 5,000 leaks in Havana, particularly in Old Havana, where the distribution infrastructure is severely deteriorated. Rodríguez highlighted that the absence of cement has hindered the repair of numerous water leaks, exacerbating the situation.
The public has received these statements with skepticism, facing severe water access problems for years. The promise of potential improvements by 2025 has sparked criticism due to the lack of immediate actions and sustainable solutions to mitigate the current crisis. Cubans have reasons to doubt these "projections" of improvement, especially since in November 2024, the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly acknowledged the water supply crisis in Havana during a work session, admitting, "We are very far from solving this situation."
Government Investments and Broken Promises
Despite the challenges, the government has repeatedly announced investment plans to enhance the water supply. In March 2022, Inés María Chapman Waugh, then Vice President of the Council of Ministers, presented a plan that included 206 investments, repairs, and activities aimed at eliminating water supply through trucks, benefiting over 635,000 residents. However, the effectiveness of these investments has been questioned, as problems persist across various regions.
In Santiago de Cuba, for instance, the water supply crisis has worsened despite the investments made. In some areas, supply cycles have extended to 60 days, severely affecting the population. Local authorities have justified their inability to solve the problem by attributing it to constant breakdowns in supply networks, water source shortages, and the energy contingency limiting the operation of pumping stations.
Pumping Equipment Imports
Despite frequent mentions of the "U.S. embargo" as a primary cause of the crisis, the Cuban regime has purchased pumping equipment from international markets and received significant donations, such as a multi-million dollar contribution from Kuwait to improve the hydraulic infrastructure, as well as substantial loans from Saudi Arabia. Recently, in 2024, the government acquired pumping equipment directly from Spain to strengthen the hydraulic infrastructure in some critical regions.
In 2023, the government received a substantial donation from China to enhance the supply in several provinces, although results were not significant due to installation and maintenance issues.
Current Situation and Future Outlook
According to official data, only 48% of the Cuban population receives water service in a stable and secure manner. The rest rely on methods such as supply through trucks, highlighting the precariousness of the supply system in the 21st century. The eastern region of the country faces the most significant problems in this regard.
The dependence of water supply on electricity exacerbates the situation, as pumping systems primarily operate with electric power and few have backup generators. Power outages delay service restoration, especially when supply sources are located more than 30 km from population centers.
Meanwhile, the government continues to allocate multi-million investments in the tourism sector, generating criticism over resource prioritization amid a crisis directly impacting the population. Despite promises of improvements by 2025, the lack of immediate solutions and the ineffectiveness of investments made so far generate uncertainty and discontent among the public, who continue to face frequent interruptions and temporary solutions that fail to resolve a crisis that seems to extend indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Water Supply Crisis
What are the main causes of the water supply issues in Cuba?
The main causes include problems with the national electro-energy system, a shortage of fuel for distribution trucks, deteriorated infrastructure, and insufficient repair materials like cement.
How has the Cuban government responded to the water crisis?
The government has announced various investment plans and acquired pumping equipment from international markets, but these efforts have been criticized for their ineffectiveness and lack of immediate solutions.
What is the outlook for water supply improvements in Cuba?
While the government promises improvements by 2025, the ongoing challenges and past ineffectiveness of investments generate skepticism and uncertainty about future progress.