Havana Still Remains Dry

The low availability of their main sources of supply, in addition to the rains in recent months, is irrefutable proof that saving water and care should be everyone’s concern

Written by Maria Ines Miranda inesm@enet.cu 

The phenomenon of drought persists in the capital and its effects, in the case of Havana are comparable to those of 2009, when the sources of supply were down to critical levels and affected more than a million inhabitants.

The negative impact on the water supply has not been more serious than it now is, thanks to the measures and actions as investments in hydraulic works allowing stabilization of the service in some areas and the elimination of leaks in main pipes to prevent as much waste as possible.

Also, among others, the rehabilitation of over 500 kilometres of networks in the last three years; the progressive installation of metro-counters, which will facilitate the control of water in the state and residential sectors and strategies conceived in high consuming branches of economy such as agriculture.

Always being prepared in the best or most adverse conditions- the exhortation of the Civil Defense authorities, in dealing with drought, is incorporated as a premise already achieved in this capital, where the will and demand are faced with this ever frequent and prolonged natural event.

In the wet season, which just ended, only 73 percent of the historical average rainfall was recorded, with availability levels of the main reservoirs of the city remaining between critical and unfavourable.

This time, thanks to running hydraulic programs, only about 50,000 people were directly affected by the water deficit, while around 84,000 were receiving the service through tanker trucks, the so-called ‘pipes.’

Despite equal severity of climate phenomenon, compared to 2009, the figures show differences in the reduction of its harmful impact on the water supply and this has been possible, insists engineer Javier Toledo Tápanes, the representative of the National Hydraulic Resources Institute in Havana, on the investment process and the momentum that the program has had in the last three years.

Of course, one cannot miss out on the essentials, the production and assortment of hardware at affordable prices, and raising the educational work continue towards the saving and preservation of water resources and punitive measures against big wasters.

Experts from the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources reported that the cumulative rainfall in the past two months in October and November, close to schedule, enable the country to cope better with the dry period. Havana, in particular, is not among the favoured provinces, although it rained frequently on its territory that allowed some relief.

They also pointed out that only the system of dams Coca-Zarza-Bacuranao, suppliers to the east of the city have good availability (70 percent capacity), thanks to the t Jaruco-la Coca transfer, a work done earlier that keeps suitable levels in these reservoirs, despite rainfall deficits.

In particular, given the low levels, although not critical, their main sources of supply, surface and groundwater, they recommend high risk perception, as this capital is in a severe drought, a climate event that can only be reversed with abundant rainfall, there lies the hope.

Translated by ESTI