A few days before the start of the carnival festivities, the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) in the province of Herrera reported that more than 25 permits for water extraction have already been issued. This water will be used in the traditional 'culecos', as part of the organization of this important celebration in the region. At the last location, at the bridge, special motors and equipment will be installed to facilitate the extraction and filling of the trucks that will distribute water to the different squares where the carnival activities take place in the province. According to the entity, four specific points for water collection have been enabled that will supply the water tankers during the carnival days: one in the district of Ocu, another in Santa María, and two on the La Villa River. Rivera added that the experience of previous years serves as a reference for planning, since in 2025 a total of 53 water tankers extracted water from different rivers in Herrera. The authorities reiterated that these actions aim 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. For this year, to date, 26 permits have been requested, although it is expected that in the coming days other tanker owners will go to MiAmbiente to process the corresponding authorization and comply with the established requirements. 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. She noted 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. 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 more than 20 years.
Herrera Issues Water Permits for Carnival
The Herrera province's Environment Ministry has issued over 25 water extraction permits for traditional 'culecos' during the carnival. Four water collection points have been secured for 53 tankers, and water quality checks have been completed.
