An unexpected malfunction at an electrical substation has led to a water service disruption across six municipalities in Cuba's capital since the early hours of Sunday, as reported by the Havana Water Company.
The state-run entity announced via social media that the breakdown at the electrical facility, which powers the Cuenca Sur water source wells, halted pumping entirely from 12:10 AM on November 23. This caused a complete suspension of water supply to the municipalities of Plaza de la Revolución, Centro Habana, and La Habana Vieja, as well as extensive areas within Cerro, Diez de Octubre, and Boyeros.
The Mayabeque Electric Company has been working "since the early hours" to restore power "as quickly as possible," according to Havana Water, yet as of Sunday evening, there has been no further update on the repair progress or the resumption of service to those affected.
The official statement specified the districts and neighborhoods that have been without water since dawn.
In Plaza de la Revolución, the water supply was disrupted throughout the municipality, except for the hospital zone and areas around Loma del Príncipe, which were expected to begin receiving water by 10:30 AM.
Complete service interruptions were also reported in Centro Habana and La Habana Vieja.
In Cerro, areas such as Martí, Cepero Bonilla, Casino Deportivo, Santa Catalina, Palatino, Las Cañas, Consejo Popular Atarés, and parts of Consejo Latinoamericano were left without service.
Meanwhile, in Diez de Octubre, the Luyanó district and part of Sevillano were affected, and in Boyeros, the disruption prevented water supply to Miraflores Nuevos, Ciudad de la Construcción, Altahabana, Capdevila, Embill, and Río Cristal.
Havana Water clarified that "once maintenance and repairs are completed, the water service will resume gradually according to normal schedules," and promised to keep the public informed through their official channels.
"We apologize for the inconvenience caused and appreciate the community's understanding," the company stated. However, they restricted comments on their Facebook post, preventing citizens from seeking information or expressing opinions on the institutional page. Despite this, dozens of users reacted with "angry" or "sad" emojis.
This latest disruption adds to ongoing failures of essential services, exacerbating the prolonged water supply crisis in Havana, where tens of thousands of households continue to suffer from interruptions and low pressure.
According to official data, over 233,000 residents in the capital experience partial or complete lack of potable water. The government has implemented an emergency distribution plan using 119 water trucks to alleviate the dire situation, yet an effective solution remains elusive.
The National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) stated in October that more than 300 hydraulic projects are underway nationwide, with an investment of five billion pesos.
As blackouts and malfunctions disrupt pump operations and leaks remain unrepaired, Havana residents have taken to the streets to protest and demand solutions after weeks, or even months, without receiving a drop of water in their homes.
Understanding Havana's Water Crisis
What caused the recent water supply disruption in Havana?
An unforeseen failure at an electrical substation affected the Cuenca Sur water source wells, halting water pumping and causing supply interruptions in six Havana municipalities.
How has the government responded to the water crisis in Havana?
The government has launched an emergency water distribution plan using 119 water trucks to address the crisis, although a permanent solution has yet to be implemented.
What areas in Havana are currently without water?
Several districts across six municipalities, including Plaza de la Revolución, Centro Habana, La Habana Vieja, Cerro, Diez de Octubre, and Boyeros, are experiencing water supply issues.