Panama is facing a water supply crisis following an incident at the Chilibre water treatment plant. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, April 11, reduced production and caused low water pressure, affecting numerous communities in the capital and surrounding areas. Although specialists from IDAAN and the Panama Canal Authority have fully restored the plant to 100% capacity by the evening of April 14, water supply normalization will be gradual. The most significant challenges are being faced by residents in high-altitude and remote areas, such as Betania, La Gloria, Villa Cáceres, El Ingenio, and districts in San Miguelito. Local authorities and residents are criticizing the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) for inefficient management of its substantial budget, which fails to address systemic issues. "People don't live on statistics; they live with water," emphasized María Judith Jaén. Representatives of the hardest-hit districts have called on IDAAN leadership to provide a clear action plan and explain how the institute plans to attract tourists amid the crisis.
