Water Crisis in Chitré Nears End

Behind the technical work, the process has also included fines and legal actions against companies, pig farms, and agribusinesses identified as possible culprits for contaminating water sources. This issue has left an entire region facing one of the most prolonged water crises in recent years. Authorities estimate that by early February, around the 2nd, the return of water suitable for human consumption could finally be announced, after more than seven months during which the Roberto Reyna, Rufina Alfaro, and Macaracas water treatment plants have been unable to supply safe water to the population. Authorities reported that, if conditions permit, after the work, water supply could begin to be gradually restored starting Monday morning. Meanwhile, the situation in the neighborhoods remains complex, although about 15 deep wells have been set up and integrated into the distribution network, allowing some sectors to receive water, albeit with very low pressure. These tasks are being carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Health, whose technicians have remained at the plant supervising the procedure to ensure that health requirements are met. The regional director of IDAAN in Herrera, Yauruslaidis Ibarra, explained that the work at the plant is part of the disinfection process, key to the progressive return to normality. However, this measure has not been enough to cover the demand, and several of the reserve tanks installed since the beginning of the crisis are already exhausted, according to resident reports. The lack of drinking water continues to mark the daily routine of thousands of families in the Chitré district, who during the weekend were forced to go out to find water at different points in the city, carrying containers and queuing at wells and tanks set up as an emergency measure. On Saturday, as part of the efforts to advance towards a solution, the cleaning of the water treatment plant began in a planned manner, which implied the total suspension of its operation from morning hours. In addition to the wells connected to the network, public supply points are maintained, where people go with jugs, buckets, and any available container to cover basic needs such as cooking, bathing, or cleaning their homes. Ibarra also announced that in the coming days, the start of the disinfection of the pipe network will be announced, a process that will be carried out by macro-sectors and will involve new service suspensions. The preliminary plan contemplates starting with the La Arena area and the Chitré ring road, to then continue with the rest of the district.