The Ministry of Health (Minsa) of Panama, as the body responsible for determining if water from the aqueducts is suitable for human consumption, is awaiting the results of tests carried out by an external laboratory. This laboratory must validate the samples previously taken by the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN). During a working tour of the Los Santos province, the Minister of Health, Fernando Boyd Galindo, informed that the laboratory tests carried out by the IDAAN on the water from the taps in the city of Las Tablas indicate that it is potable; however, he stressed that it is necessary to wait for the validation of the external laboratory to be able to officially declare it suitable for human consumption. The IDAN carried out the disinfection of the Rufina Alfaro water treatment plant, in the province of Los Santos, as well as the network of pipes in the city of Las Tablas. Nevertheless, until the corresponding validation is obtained, the population is still not recommended to consume the water that comes out of the taps. In response to the water crisis in the Azuero region, Minsa has implemented various actions to guarantee the supply and contribute to solving the problem, including: enabling rural wells in communities for water distribution by tanker trucks, strengthening the supply in areas affected by the contamination of the La Villa River; reactivation of existing wells and drilling of new wells, with the objective of ensuring a safe water supply to the population; constant monitoring of water quality in wells, community reserve tanks and other supply sources, guaranteeing that the water distributed is safe for human consumption; collaboration with other productive sectors to implement regulations that prevent the contamination of water sources. Minsa is also awaiting the completion of the disinfection works of the distribution networks of Guararé, La Villa de Los Santos and Chitré, in order to validate the laboratory tests carried out by the IDAAN before certifying that the water is suitable for human consumption.
