By Zoila Palma: Cuba’s worsening energy crisis is deepening water shortages across the island, with nearly 3 million people experiencing interruptions in water supply each day due to dwindling oil supplies, government officials said during a roundtable discussion held Wednesday.
Authorities reported that the country’s water system is operating with only 37 percent of the fuel it requires. Antonio Rodríguez, president of Cuba’s state-run National Institute of Water Resources, said the sector has become one of the hardest hit because of its heavy dependence on energy.
According to Rodríguez, the impact extends beyond water pumping. Fuel is needed for essential operations such as unclogging pipes, cleaning septic tanks and repairing leaks, while imports of necessary chemical supplies have stalled. Details of the discussion were later published by the official website Cubadebate.
Rodríguez explained that Cuba’s water agency once spent about $100 million annually on parts and supplies, but purchases dropped to roughly $10 million over the past year following a total suspension of credit. He said many suppliers have delayed contracts amid uncertainty over payments and shipping restrictions.
The crisis is further aggravated by aging infrastructure and overburdened pumping stations, particularly in Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Matanzas. Many apartment buildings also depend on electricity to pump water into elevated storage tanks, creating additional challenges as residents endure power outages lasting up to 20 hours daily.
For many Cubans, the shortages have become part of daily life. Water deliveries by tanker trucks remain inconsistent in several neighborhoods.
The post International News: Nearly 3 million Cubans face daily water shortages appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Cuba’s worsening energy crisis is deepening water shortages across the island, with nearly 3 million people experiencing interruptions in water supply each day due to dwindling oil supplies, government officials said during a roundtable discussion held Wednesday. Authorities reported that the country’s water system is operating with only 37 percent of the
The post International News: Nearly 3 million Cubans face daily water shortages appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
