A significant water leak at the entrance to Pinar del Río, Cuba's westernmost province, has sparked concern among residents in a city where access to this essential resource is already a critical issue.
On October 25, the issue was brought to light on Facebook by Ronald Suárez, a pro-government journalist. He posted images highlighting the scale of the situation, stating, "Mega water leak at the entrance to Pinar del Río, a city where water supply is a major concern."
Company's Efforts and Challenges
This past Sunday, the Pinar del Río Water and Sewer Company released a statement acknowledging the leak, noting that locating it has been challenging. Their Facebook post clarified that despite extensive searches and area cleaning, the water escape is no longer visible. This suggests that the leak might have been due to illegal connections, possibly used for irrigation, which may have been removed following the public report.
Impact on Water Supply
The company also mentioned that increased pressure, following the addition of a fourth motor in a primary pipeline, could have exacerbated the leak's impact. Importantly, they clarified that this leak does not directly affect the city's water supply, as it is part of a secondary branch.
Despite Pinar del Río having sufficient water reserves to meet demand, the province's delivery systems often fail to function properly, leading to frequent disruptions. These issues are frequently caused by system breakdowns, which prevent residents from receiving a consistent water supply.
The company continues to work diligently in the area to address the problem and provide reassurance to the local population.