An intense drought Santiago de Cuba, leaving the city with a seriously limited water supply due to exhausted reservoirs and the acute energy crisis suffered by the country.
Ludmila Rodríguez Barroso, director of the company of aqueducts and sewers Aguas Santiago, pointed out to Sierra Maestra That the few rains of May and June have reduced the levels of key reservoirs, such as Gota Blanca, which since July 7 stopped supplying 500 liters per second to the northwest system, and the Gilbert fountain, with its decreased flow.
With only one of the five drivers of the Quintero Operational system, delivering between 900 and 1000 liters per second, many areas face water cuts exceeding 20 days, and critical areas such as assumption-flores, desssy chicharrones and the Antonio Maceo urban center exceed 60 days without service.
The national energy crisis aggravates the situation, limiting the functioning of pumping stations.
To relieve the impact, Aguas Santiago has deployed tank cars in sectors such as oil, cutting irrigation and livestock connections, and repaired salideos, although the theft of 4 thousand metrocontators complicates these efforts.
Two new teams in Gota Blanca contribute 330 liters per second, with a third party, and improvements are made in Mogote teams from Havana to reinforce the Gilbert fountain.
In addition, wells are activated in the refinery and a describer in the mouth of Cabaña to reduce the load on the stop system.
Rodríguez Barroso emphasized the urgency of saving water. The reservoirs are in historical minimums, and admitted that the distribution is unequal, with prioritized hospitals.
Without reliable forecasts due to the deficit, the company seeks to optimize infrastructure, but the definitive solution depends on rains and greater resources.
Water supply in Cuba between drought, blackouts and fuel shortage
The combination of intense drought, electric cuts and fuel shortage is further complicating access to drinking water in Cuba, with about 300 thousand people affected.
Aforementioned by Cubadebate, Antonio Rodríguez, president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) detailed before the Industry, Constructions and Energy Commission that his body operates with just 37 % of the required fuel, a significant fall compared to 47 % of the previous year. This hinders the distribution of water by pipes, water treatment and maintenance of graves.
In addition, constant blackouts have damaged pumping systems. Only 38 % of the 486 main stations have protection against electrical failures due to its geographical dispersion among the more than 3 thousand facilities in the country.
