On Tuesday, Catherine Gonzalez, a resident of Havana, expressed her distress over the lack of running water in her building located at Calzada 755 between 2nd and Paseo. For more than 20 days, the water supply has been cut off, affecting 14 families, including infants, young children, and the elderly. When the water finally appeared, it lasted only a few minutes, allowing them to collect just two buckets.
"Look, look, trying to get water, and nothing, it's gone, gone, gone, and no water. We managed to fill just two buckets. How many are we here? 14 homes, with little kids, the elderly, and adults. The water is gone," Catherine lamented in a short video clip.
She explained that when water does arrive, it flows for only five to thirty minutes, an insufficient duration for residents to gather what they need. "How do I explain to my baby daughter that I don't even have enough to bathe her or cook for her?" she questioned.
Upon contacting Aguas de La Habana for answers, the family received either no response or the same old explanation familiar to many Cubans: it's the United States embargo's fault. "We called Aguas de La Habana, and they don't give you explanations, or they blame the embargo," Catherine wrote.
"Why do we need to pay for a water truck that costs even in dollars or a small tank on a tricycle for an entire building, costing over 10,000 pesos if the government doesn't cover that? Tell me, how long will this continue?" she added.
In further comments, she revealed that authorities had promised a water truck that never arrived: "How do you explain to children under one year old that there's not even enough to cook or drink?" she emphasized.
Other Cubans echoed her concerns, stating that similar situations are occurring elsewhere. "The same thing is happening in San Miguel del Padrón," a neighbor noted. From Pinar del Río, another resident commented, "We've lost track, and the pipeline that supplies us seems to have disappeared."
Government Acknowledges National Water Crisis
Officials have admitted that the country faces a severe water crisis. As of November 3rd, the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources reported that 2,681,770 Cubans are experiencing water supply disruptions across the nation—amounting to 34.5% of the population—of which approximately 536,000 are in Havana. Electrical issues account for 66% of these interruptions, while 25% are due to pump equipment failures.
Some of Havana's pipes have been in use for 60 to 70 years without significant upgrades, according to Aguas de La Habana. Extreme cases include 45 days without water in Mulgoba, over six months in Zamora (Marianao), and nearly two years without piped water in Las Margaritas, Santa María del Rosario.
On November 4th, President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the crisis is "real, severe, and complex," and cannot be resolved with a single speech or measure. He admitted that it will require substantial investments and several years to address. The government announced plans to construct 10 photovoltaic solar parks with a capacity of 200 megawatts to support Havana's main water sources, expected to be completed by August 2027.
Understanding Cuba's Water Supply Issues
What are the main causes of water supply disruptions in Cuba?
The primary causes of water supply disruptions in Cuba include electrical issues, which account for 66% of interruptions, and failures in pump equipment, responsible for 25% of the problems.
How long have some areas been without a stable water supply?
Some areas, like Mulgoba, have experienced 45 days without water, while others like Zamora have gone over six months, and Las Margaritas has been nearly two years without reliable piped water.
What solutions has the Cuban government proposed for the water crisis?
The Cuban government plans to construct 10 photovoltaic solar parks with a capacity of 200 megawatts to enhance Havana's primary water sources, with completion expected by August 2027.