Reports of living creatures emerging from the tap water in Sancti Spíritus have ignited a storm of outrage on social media, as residents share alarming accounts of worms, snails, and even small fish coming from pipes meant to supply potable water. Yanalli González Domínguez was among the first to raise the issue, posting on Facebook: “Can someone tell me what these wrigglers are coming out of our pipes? My God, this is supposed to be drinking water.”
In the comments, she added, “I’m washing, and the water is full of bugs. My God, they’re alive... is the water coming straight from the river?” Her post was met with dozens of responses describing similar experiences.
“Even little fish are coming out of the pipes,” warned Misleidy González Alonso. Meanwhile, Yureibys Torresilla shared: “Early today, I turned on the faucet, and bugs fell out—not larvae, something else... I was speechless.” She also cautioned, “Imagine one of those bugs going down your throat as you brush your teeth.”
Lourdes Moreno Bombino criticized, “This is the water they ensure for us. It even has worms, and they don’t treat it at all anymore.” Mari Batista Lorenzo was more severe: “For God’s sake! They want to kill us. Nothing works, and the worst part is that if you protest, they call you a worm or claim the empire pays you.”
Rosa Jiménez commented, “In mine, there are live creatures, decaying river plants, and little snails.” José A. Rodríguez noted that his water filters clog every two days: “When I open them to clean, you wouldn’t believe what I find. They’re killing us slowly.”
Other testimonies mention mosquito larvae, reddish worms, and larger animals: “There are tilapias; my tank broke, and there was one,” reported Lilibet Díaz. “I get tadpoles, and they seem big,” wrote Dianelys Yero.
The absence of proper treatment is a widespread concern: “There’s nothing potable about this water,” stated Elizabeth Herrera Rodríguez. Jorge Bello expressed, “They have us living like pigs.” Yalily Del Sol concluded: “It’s disgusting; I keep a strainer to get slightly cleaner water, but I don’t even cook with it.”
Worries about Cuba’s drinking water quality have been mounting due to ongoing reports of contamination. Authorities have acknowledged high turbidity levels in the water supplied to the public, a condition that, rather than being rare, has become a regular occurrence across several provinces.
In areas like Mayabeque, the situation has long been alarming. Residents have reported brown water with visible sediment and foul odors, forcing them to boil or strain it before any domestic use. Meanwhile, nearly 400,000 people in Santiago de Cuba face restricted or no access to water, a situation many blame on the structural failures of the state hydraulic system.
This crisis is exacerbated by prolonged drought and infrastructure decay, compelling the regime to implement irregular water delivery cycles, leaving vast regions without supply for days.
Understanding the Water Crisis in Cuba
What are the main issues with the water supply in Sancti Spíritus?
Residents report live animals such as worms, snails, and small fish emerging from the tap water, indicating severe contamination and lack of proper treatment.
How have the authorities responded to these water quality concerns?
Authorities have acknowledged high turbidity levels in the water, but the situation remains unresolved, with regular contamination reports across various provinces.
What measures are residents taking to handle the water contamination?
Residents are compelled to boil or strain water before use, with some using filters that frequently clog due to the high level of contaminants.