Matanzas Struggles with Water Shortage as Antonio Guiteras Power Plant Consumes Excess

Amid a severe water crisis affecting Matanzas, the largest power plant in Cuba, the CTE Antonio Guiteras, is significantly contributing to the imbalance in the city's water supply. The presence of large water-consuming institutions and industries is one of the main reasons for the population's water issues.

"In our province, we've identified high-demand areas like our hospitals; however, they are making extraordinary efforts to comply with regulations," stated Guillermo Cué Lugo, director of the Matanzas Water and Sewer Company, in an interview with the official newspaper Girón. Regarding the "Guiteras" plant, Cué explained that when operating efficiently, it stays within the established consumption limits. Unfortunately, that is not the case now. "Currently, the plant is in a crisis due to a heater malfunction, which leads to excessive water usage," he disclosed.

While entire neighborhoods receive only three to four hours of water pumping daily, far from the normal 16 hours, the "Guiteras" plant consumes a disproportionate amount of resources during this period of extreme scarcity. This situation is not an isolated incident but rather illustrates how the poor technical condition of a strategic facility can disrupt other essential services.

The situation in Matanzas is exacerbated by power outages affecting well fields, hindering the stabilization of services in the middle, upper, and lower areas of the city. According to Cué, efforts are underway with the Electric Union to protect these fields, though no tangible results have been achieved so far.

Throughout the province, issues are further complicated by the condition of pumping equipment. Out of 225 units, 12 are currently out of service. Particularly impacted areas include La Julia (Matanzas), Jovellanos (with three units offline), Pedro Betancourt, and Gertrudis. Repairs are in progress at sites like Fructuoso Rodríguez (Limonar) and San José de los Ramos (Colón).

In the Ciénaga de Zapata, a region historically plagued by supply problems, only two pumps are operational. One of these, though small, provides minimal supply to Playa Larga.

Even with a fourfold increase in water distribution by tanker trucks, demand still outpaces supply. Many communities remain underserved, and while local delegates play a vital role, their efforts are clearly insufficient given the growing demand and limited resources, the media outlet reported.

From August 28 to 30, the integration of four or five out-of-service pumps was planned. However, as long as the primary water consumer continues to operate inefficiently, no temporary fix will suffice.

In Matanzas, water is pumped for only a couple of hours a day, and some areas experience delivery cycles by tanker trucks extended to 16 days, leaving thousands trapped in an unresolved crisis. The province is facing one of its worst water supply crises in years, with nonfunctional pumping equipment, collapsed water networks, constant blackouts, and an infrastructure stretched to its limits, despite ironically having abundant underground water reserves.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Cárdenas recently warned of a hepatitis outbreak spreading in the city. This highly contagious disease is transmitted through contaminated water or food or direct contact with an infected person. The rise in hepatitis A cases in Cuba is directly linked to the consumption of water contaminated with fecal matter. Poor access to safe drinking water and inadequate hygiene conditions have worsened this situation.