With projects like the one executed in Santa Ana, a firm step is taken to reverse decades of pollution and environmental neglect. After 40 years of abandonment, the storm drains and sewer system of the Santa Ana district were completely unblocked and cleaned, putting an end to flooding, bad odors, and sewage that had represented a serious public health risk for decades. The representative of Santa Ana, Kira Ponce, explained that it was a pending project since the beginning of her administration and that, thanks to the support of the Bay Sanitation Consortium, the use of specialized equipment, and the support of the community board, it was possible to carry out a deep and sustained intervention. "In Santa Ana, a serious and planned sanitation of the sewer system was carried out. It was not improvised or isolated; it was a coordinated effort to solve a problem that had affected the community for more than four decades," stated Ponce. The work focused on inspection chambers and began on Avenue B, extending to all main roads in the district, including streets 15, 16 and 17, Avenue Ancón, Patio Richet, street C and street E, with the goal of eliminating all critical points. According to the representative, the result was highly positive, as collapsed pipes due to grease and waste accumulation were cleared, which allowed for improved water flow, reduced bad odors, and prevented overflows that directly affected residents. "This is not just a technical issue; it is about improving the quality of life for Santa Ana residents, reducing health risks, and offering a more dignified environment for those who live and work in Santa Ana," she emphasized. These actions are part of the Panama Bay Sanitation Project, an initiative that aims to rescue the sanitary and environmental conditions of the metropolitan area by eliminating the discharge of untreated wastewater into rivers, streams, and coastal areas, benefiting 1.2 million people. The deterioration of the Bay of Panama has been a consequence of the collapse of the sewer system, the use of septic tanks, and the construction of latrines in vulnerable areas.
