A complete electrical failure on Thursday at the Southern Aquifer supply source has triggered yet another water crisis in central Havana. This incident led to an increase in leaks from the main 78-inch pipeline, necessitating urgent repairs at three different locations along the pipe.
This Friday, Havana's Water Authority announced that the event, which occurred in the late afternoon and evening, has disrupted water services across five municipalities within the Central System: Plaza de la Revolución, Centro Habana, Habana Vieja, Cerro, and Diez de Octubre, as well as several areas in Boyeros.
The extent of the disruptions varies by municipality. In Plaza de la Revolución, areas known as Las Letras and Los Números are without service, as well as regions receiving water from the Quinta de los Molinos pump, although the company is ensuring that hospitals and sectors near Loma del Príncipe, Ataré Popular Council, and parts of the Latin American Council are still being supplied.
Both Centro Habana and Habana Vieja face widespread interruptions, with particularly severe impacts in Jesús María, Habana Intramuros, and areas supplied from Quinta de los Molinos, Peñalver, and Villarín.
In the Cerro municipality, neighborhoods such as Martí, Cepero Bonilla, Casino Deportivo, Santa Catalina, Palatino, Las Cañas, and Cerro itself are affected.
Diez de Octubre is experiencing issues in the lower Luyanó area and the Víbora Chica pumping station, while Boyeros is seeing reduced pressures and water shortages across eight neighborhoods, including Miraflores Nuevos, Alta Habana, Capdevila, Mazorra, and Río Cristal.
As repair efforts continue, Havana's water company is urging residents to "implement all necessary conservation measures to minimize disruptions" and has pledged to update service schedules once repairs are completed.
This incident is the latest in a series of malfunctions that have repeatedly plagued this infrastructure throughout 2026. On October 22, electrical disturbances in 110 kV lines caused a total shutdown of the Southern Aquifer and damage at two pipeline points. Another emergency halt was declared on November 4 due to leaks; and just before the current incident, the supply source was operating with only 16 of its 19 planned units.
The 78-inch pipeline has been in use for over 70 years without significant renovations, making it especially susceptible to water hammer effects—sudden pressure changes—caused by unexpected power outages.
The company has acknowledged that 87% of the capital's water system relies on electricity, meaning that each blackout almost automatically leads to a water cut.
In August, a complex malfunction involving three leaks in this same pipeline left six municipalities without water. The crisis has intensified over the year: from affecting about 200,000 Havana residents in April to over 536,000 in November, out of a national total of 2.68 million people without regular supply, according to the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources.
Understanding the Havana Water Crisis
What caused the recent water crisis in Havana?
The latest water crisis in Havana was caused by a complete electrical failure at the Southern Aquifer supply source, resulting in increased leaks from a primary 78-inch pipeline.
Which areas in Havana are affected by the water supply disruptions?
The water supply disruptions affect five municipalities: Plaza de la Revolución, Centro Habana, Habana Vieja, Cerro, and Diez de Octubre, along with several areas in Boyeros.
How long has the main pipeline been in use without major renovations?
The main 78-inch pipeline has been in operation for over 70 years without significant updates, making it vulnerable to sudden pressure changes and power outages.