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Guáimaro, Cuba – The persistent water supply challenges in Guáimaro are demanding innovative solutions and relentless effort from local authorities, even as broader economic and infrastructural issues compound the problem. The situation, as of , highlights a struggle to maintain basic services amidst significant constraints.
The core of the issue, according to Enrique Pérez Otero, director of the Aqueduct and Sewerage UEB in Guáimaro, stems from a confluence of factors: severe fuel restrictions, a critical shortage of spare parts and a precarious energy situation directly linked to U.S. Policies impacting Cuba. These challenges aren’t new, but their combined effect is creating a particularly difficult environment for delivering consistent water access to residents.
The response has been a localized, pragmatic approach focused on prioritizing essential services and maximizing the efficiency of existing resources. Hospitals, nursing homes, and maternity centers are receiving priority, with a distribution cycle of approximately seven days. Even this, however, is subject to fluctuation based on the availability of fuel and the stability of the electrical grid.
“We almost always give it to the nursery school on Sundays so that on Monday they can do their work there,” Pérez Otero explained, illustrating the meticulous scheduling required to manage limited resources. “So, we don’t give it more until the other Sunday.”
For communities further from the municipal seat, such as Galbis and Monte Grande, the supply frequency has been extended to 15 days, contingent on fuel availability for tanker deliveries. This extended timeframe underscores the logistical hurdles faced in reaching more remote populations.
Beyond the logistical challenges of distribution, technical issues within the system itself contribute to the uneven access. Pérez Otero detailed the complexities of the pumping process, explaining that even with power restored, a significant delay exists before water reaches individual homes. The process involves filling the plant, refilling cisterns, and then initiating the pumping process, requiring over 15 hours of consistent electricity to serve the entire district.
“Sometimes they give us just four hours of power,” he stated. “If we take away one hour for Jobabito [the supplier], we have three left. It doesn’t give us enough energy to be able to give it to everyone.”
Residents are acutely aware of these delays. Aleida Arias Gómez, a resident of the Progreso neighborhood, noted a growing discrepancy between the restoration of power and the arrival of water at her home. “Before, they barely turned on the power, more or less in an hour water began to fall into the faucet, but lately it has been taking a while: two, three hours, even four. Sometimes they turn on the power and in the early morning a little water begins to fall,” she said.
The aging infrastructure further complicates matters. The municipal networks require time to refill after pumping begins, creating a lag before water pressure reaches all areas. Guáimaro Sur is particularly affected, prompting increased fuel allocation for tanker deliveries to the area.
Despite these obstacles, the workers at the Enrique Hart Dávalos water treatment plant are demonstrating resourcefulness and dedication. Faced with constant repairs due to equipment wear and tear, they are relying on ingenuity and collaboration to keep the system operational. A recent example involved the adaptation of a makeshift replacement for a non-return valve, requiring collaborative effort and improvised solutions.
Alexey Gómez Prado, a truck driver and mechanic, exemplified this spirit of innovation. “I am the truck driver,” he said, “and I can tell them that we are there and if there is a breakage, we go there, be it day, be it night, be it at any time.”
Pérez Otero emphasized the crucial support from the central workshop, highlighting the collaborative effort required to overcome these challenges. “We can tell them that we are there and if there is a breakage, we go there, be it day, be it night, be it at any time. And we dress up and look good, also relying on the central workshop; they help us a lot,” he said.
The situation in Guáimaro reflects a broader water crisis impacting Cuba, attributed to aging infrastructure, inefficient management, and economic constraints. Reports from Cuba’s Office of Statistics and Information highlight a lack of clear investment data for hydraulic infrastructure, with funds often categorized under broader “Electricity, gas and water supply” allocations. This lack of specific investment tracking adds to the difficulty of addressing the long-term needs of the water system.
As of , the workers in Guáimaro continue to address the immediate needs of the population, demonstrating a commitment to providing essential services despite the significant limitations they face. The long-term solution, however, remains contingent on addressing the underlying economic and infrastructural challenges impacting Cuba’s water supply.
