A resident from Boyeros, a municipality in Havana, has issued a passionate public complaint against local authorities due to the collapse of water services, garbage buildup, and sewage overflow in the streets.
The grievance was shared on Facebook by Alexis Torriente, drawing numerous comments from residents across various neighborhoods who verified and expanded on the situation.
"It's urgent to add chlorine to the water entering the cisterns. Do your job, demand the Hygiene and Epidemiology department at the Mulgoba Polyclinic distribute chlorine for each building to directly add to the cisterns and halt this wave of bacteria causing this disaster right under our noses while no one acts. People continue to suffer from diarrhea, and there's an increasing number of cases of hepatitis and the so-called 'cagalera' virus," Torriente expressed.
Allegations of Government Inefficiency
Torriente directly accused the municipal government of inefficiency and complicity, noting that the chlorinator—crucial for disinfecting water before distribution—was broken. "Water has become just another business for the Aqueduct," he wrote.
He further claimed that "schools and daycare centers lack water. Where is the oversight for these places? This is nothing but corruption," he stated.
Torriente described the situation as potential sabotage and demanded accountability from the governor, intendants, and vice-intendants of Havana.
"Where is the DTI's role in controlling the corrupt? This can be considered sabotage, and you all are asleep. The ones who pay are the people. The people are consuming contaminated water, kept silent by ignorance and neglect," he added.
Widespread Crisis Across Boyeros
Comments on the post reveal that the issue extends to several neighborhoods within the municipality. A resident from the Abel Santa María neighborhood reported that two cisterns in her building were contaminated by a burst sewage pit from the adjacent property. At the Polyclinic of Wajay, she was informed that they lacked the reagents needed to test the water.
"It's a miracle we haven't died yet; at least we must have Escherichia coli (known as E. coli)," she wrote.
From Aldabó, another resident described sewage water flowing through leaks, piles of garbage, and symptoms among the population including fever, diarrhea, and rashes on knees and elbows.
In Santiago de las Vegas' Lídice neighborhood, a resident reported going eight months without water entering homes or access to water trucks. From Río Verde, other residents reported multiple cases of illness without any response from authorities.
A commenter noted that boiling the water does not solve the issue. "It's very important, but I boil the water, and the diarrhea persists."
The Water Crisis in Boyeros
Since January 2026, over 40,000 people in Boyeros have faced severe disruptions in potable water supply.
On August 21, a malfunction in the main pipeline from Cuenca Sur left six Havana municipalities, including Boyeros, without water.
The water supply system relies 87% on electricity, meaning power outages—which in 2026 have exceeded 20 hours a day in some areas—directly halt water pumps.
"This issue isn't just in Boyeros, it's across Cuba, due to unsanitary conditions and a lack of everything... Cuba is an epidemic from Cabo de San Antonio to the tip of Maisí," summarized one comment on the post.
Alarming Health Situation Across Cuba
In early September, the U.S. Embassy in Havana issued a warning about a significant rise in diarrheal diseases linked to the deteriorating water infrastructure, identifying E. coli, norovirus, and Shigella.
A national survey conducted with UNICEF, published in March 2026, detected E. coli in Cuban households for the first time, confirming fecal contamination of drinking water. Hepatitis A outbreaks have been reported in several provinces between August and September.
Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, acknowledged in 2026 that around 2.7 million Cubans faced water supply issues, with figures potentially reaching 3.1 million experiencing total or partial cuts across the country by September.
Understanding the Water Crisis in Boyeros
What are the main causes of the water crisis in Boyeros?
The water crisis in Boyeros is primarily caused by the breakdown of essential infrastructure, including chlorinators and main pipelines, coupled with frequent power outages that affect water pumps.
How has the water contamination impacted public health in Boyeros?
The contamination has led to widespread health issues such as diarrhea, hepatitis, and outbreaks of other waterborne diseases, significantly affecting the population's well-being.
What actions have been demanded by Boyeros residents?
Residents have demanded that local authorities take immediate action to disinfect the water supply by adding chlorine to cisterns and addressing the inefficiencies and corruption within the municipal government.