A disruption in the electrical system at the Smith Comas well field halted water pumping to Cárdenas, located in Matanzas province, this past Saturday. This information was shared by the Cárdenas Health Directorate on their Facebook page.
Preliminary reports suggest that the issue might have been triggered by an electrical discharge. Specialists were dispatched to the site to assess the infrastructure and determine the extent of the damage. However, as of the latest update, there is no estimated time for when the service will be restored.
"Currently, efforts are focused on diagnosing the situation, and no estimated timeline is available for the resumption of pumping," stated the Cárdenas Health Directorate in their announcement.
The local station, Telebandera, also reported on the incident, confirming that "specialists are evaluating the extent of the damage, which appears to have been caused by an electrical discharge."
The Smith Comas well field serves as the starting point for the Cárdenas aqueduct, the second most significant city in Matanzas. From this location, a main conductor measuring 900 mm in diameter and 12 km in length supports a network spanning 265 km and nine pumping stations, aiming to provide up to 786 liters per second to approximately 78,000 residents.
The total reliance of the pumping system on electrical supply means that any malfunction leads to an immediate water crisis for the entire city.
This disruption happens amid a worsening water and energy crisis throughout 2026 in Matanzas. Blackouts have persisted for stretches of 60 to 87 hours across various parts of the province, halting pumping systems and depriving entire communities of water access.
In April 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Inés María Chapman publicly acknowledged that over 300,000 residents in Matanzas lack consistent water supply, highlighting the depth of the structural issue.
The crisis has also directly impacted public health. In March 2026, Matanzas health officials advised boiling and chlorinating water due to hepatitis outbreaks, and active cases were identified in May within the La Marina neighborhood of Cárdenas itself.
In another incident in May 2026, the town of Cantel, also within the Cárdenas municipality, endured more than a week without electricity following a transformer explosion, further underscoring the fragility of the area’s electrical infrastructure.
Authorities have pledged to keep the public informed regarding developments and actions to restore service, yet have not provided a specific timeline for when the situation will be resolved.
Understanding the Water and Power Crisis in Matanzas
What caused the water supply disruption in Cárdenas?
The disruption in Cárdenas' water supply was caused by an electrical system failure at the Smith Comas well field, possibly due to an electrical discharge.
How is the electrical crisis affecting Matanzas?
The electrical crisis in Matanzas has resulted in prolonged blackouts, lasting between 60 and 87 hours, disrupting water pumping systems and leaving communities without water access.
What measures have been taken to address the water crisis?
Authorities have been evaluating the damage and are working on restoring service, though no specific timeline has been provided for the resolution of the crisis.