Despite the heavy rain falls in the central and eastern region of Cuba, the inhabitants of the west of the island continue to suffer the effects of a prolonged drought, especially those residing in the capital.
A report from the official media Havana Tribune ensures that 48,239 inhabitants of the capital suffer affectations in the water supply because of the drought. While the east and center of the country reported historical rainfall records for the season, in the west the rains in June left an average of 98 mm (71% of the historical records, set at 138.7 mm).
Because of this, according to the official press in the capital, 13,781 habaneros have had the “delivery cycle extended”that is, they do not receive running water in their homes normally, but rather at intervals that the environment does not specify.
To these are added 30,548 residents of the capital whose water supply has seen “timetables” altered, and another 3,910 who receive water through pipes.
La Lisa, Marianao and Playa are among the most affected municipalities in the city, due to the critical state of the Ariguanabo aquifer. Other underground basins that supply the province are not at optimal levels either.
Added to this situation are breakdowns and maintenance and repair work on the conductors and electrical lines that feed the Cuban capital.
In May, the Havana Water Company reported that affects in the supply in the municipality of Marianao due to maintenance work on the hydraulic network, specifically on the conductor (42”) of the Cosculluela supply source.
At the beginning of the year, the company undertook repair work on the 100 mm conductive networkonce again affecting the supply and road traffic in the capital.
At the end of last year, more than 30,000 habaneros received the drinking water service in pipes due to drought. Even so, the figure was less than the more than 150,000 who were affected at some point and the 50,000 who were supplied by tanker trucks at the beginning of the year.
The data and information offered by the official media contrast with the readers’ comments on the publication, calling into question the veracity of the explanations offered.
“In Alturas de Belén, Marianao, we have not had water for more than a week and it seems that there will not be any, but the worst thing is that Aguas de La Habana says that it guarantees the supply with pipes and these are conspicuous by their absence, they do not come if they are not given money. I no longer have water to drink. I am a sick old woman and I live alone. They imagine? I only hope that the authorities solve this serious problem”, said a reader.
“If the southern basin is the only stable one and it is the one that supplies Altahabana, why hasn’t our building received the precious liquid for 2 days?” asked another.
“If the water situation is like this, why aren’t the large leaks on the street of the Bernardo Possesses polyclinic in San Miguel del Padrón resolved, which has been going on for months and has been reported in all instances?” asked another.
“There are drinking water leaks that are already historical throughout the city, and now the population is the one affected, in addition to the internal leaks and the very high prices of fittings, batteries, etc. The pipes are conspicuous by their absence. It doesn’t clear up!” protested another Cuban Internet user.
