The Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) in the province of Herrera reported that just days before the start of the carnival festivities, more than 25 permits for water extraction to be used in the traditional 'culecos' have already been issued. This is part of the organization of this important regional celebration. According to the entity, four specific points for water capture have been enabled to supply the tanker trucks during the carnival days: one in the district of Ocú, another in Santa María, and two on the La Villa river. In the latter, at the height of the bridge, motors and special equipment will be installed to facilitate the extraction and filling of the trucks that will distribute the water in the different squares where the carnival activities take place in the province. Karina Rivera, head of Water Resources of MiAmbiente in Herrera, explained that the institution has carried out historical monitoring of the flow of the La Villa river for over 20 years. She pointed out that despite the special situation recorded this year due to contamination in the tributary, specific evaluations were carried out at the sites traditionally used for water extraction. The samples were analyzed in the water quality laboratory located in Los Canelos de Divisa, and the results, according to the official, were favorable, determining that the water resource meets the required parameters for recreational use during the carnival. Rivera added that the experience of previous years serves as a reference for planning, since in 2025 a total of 53 tanker trucks extracted water from different rivers in Herrera. For this year, to date, 26 permits have been requested, although it is expected that in the coming days other tanker truck owners will go to MiAmbiente to process the corresponding authorization and comply with the established requirements. The authorities reiterated that these actions seek to guarantee an orderly and safe development of the 'culecos', ensuring the availability of the resource and compliance with environmental regulations during one of the most attended festivities in the province of Herrera.
