Water supply, a concern for authorities in Holguín
- Written by John Alex Fernández Leyva
- Published in Holguin
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Holguín is facing water supply issues due to several factors. The three primary water supply systems in this eastern province have been affected for several days. The northern system has been consistently challenged due to power outages, hindering proper supply since the beginning of the year.
George Ávila Mustelier, general director of Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado in Holguín pointed out that to mitigate the effects of the fuel deficit and the drought, a working group has been formed with those in charge of fuel, electricity, water resources, and the territory's mechanical company.
“Breakdowns have become more frequent and the physical availability of fuel in the territory does not cover the demand of these generator sets, which consume 85 and 51 liters per hour, respectively.
The effect of the drought is notable: of the 1,189 liters per second that should be supplied to the city, only 880 are currently delivered, which represents a deficit of 309 liters. The national electro-energy situation further aggravates the situation, leaving the main municipality at a disadvantage.
In the province, there is a group that works on drought-related issues chaired by the Governor and coordinated by program managers and other key actors. This group discusses daily supply, distribution priorities, strategies for the next day and the evaluation of what happened in previous stages.
The general director of the Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado in Holguín explained that a plan of action with 15 measures is being implemented to counter the drought, with three measures currently underway to add 150 liters per second to the system from the south of the city. These include installing a new pump to increase the Guirabo dam station to 500 liters and activating the bypass pumping to transfer another 150 liters to the east
However, equipment breakdowns and power deficits are prolonging supply cycles, with the northern system at 107 days and the southern at 31 days, said George Ávila.
Fuel shortages have also limited the distribution of water via pipes, affecting communities like Ramón Quintana and Altura de Parera.
“The plan is to mobilize 12 pipes as soon as we have the physical backing of the fuel, which is already on the card, with a daily allocation of 652 only for this activity. The distribution will prioritize the places with greater affectation cycles such as Ramón Quintana, Santiesteban, Alturas de Parera, Ciudad Jardín upper part and Capitán Urbino, with the coordination of the presidents of the People's Councils and the delegates”.
According to the drought action plan, the first three measures should be completed in 15 days and include the assembly of pumps, management of electrical components and the repair of a broken transformer. Once these pumps are in place, the Guirabo dam's extraction will increase to 500 liters, which will allow for immediate improvements in the city's systems.
