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Chitré water plant expansion project advances to reinforce potable water supply in Azuero
🇵🇦 Panama /Energy & Infrastructure

Chitré water plant expansion project advances to reinforce potable water supply in Azuero

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Panama's government approved a project to expand the Chitré water treatment plant to improve water supply in the Azuero region.
  • The project involves an investment of over $22.5 million and aims to enhance water production and distribution for Herrera and Los Santos provinces.
  • The initiative prioritizes addressing the long-standing water crisis in Azuero, with modernization efforts underway for the national water authority (IDAAN).

Panama's national government has greenlit a significant project to permanently resolve the chronic water supply issues affecting the Azuero region, specifically the provinces of Herrera and Los Santos. The decision was formalized during a meeting of the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage Systems (IDAAN) board of directors.

The approved project, titled "Studies, Design, Improvements, Rehabilitation, Equipment, and Expansion of the Roberto Reyna Water Supply System and Treatment Plant in the District of Chitré, Herrera Province," received authorization for the expenditure related to Offer Request No. SDO-03-2025. IDAAN Director Antonio Tercero González is authorized to finalize the contract with Espina Obras Hidráulicas, S.A., following legal requirements.

Minister of Housing and Territorial Planning Jaime Jované, who also chairs the IDAAN board, highlighted President José Raúl Mulino's priority in tackling the decades-long water crisis in Azuero. The project represents an investment exceeding $22.5 million, aiming to boost the capacity for producing and distributing potable water to residents of Herrera and Los Santos.

There is a priority interest from President José Raúl Mulino in addressing the water crisis in Azuero.

— Jaime JovanéMinister of Housing and Territorial Planning Jaime Jované highlighting the president's focus on the water issue.

Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac affirmed that the Mulino administration is committed to strengthening national water services. This includes modernizing IDAAN and implementing a National Water Plan. Orillac, designated by the president to spearhead this national strategy, assured the project's support from his ministry.

IDAAN Director Tercero explained that the project's process began in 2023. After various procedures, the third public bid, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was approved on June 4, 2026. He also noted recent actions to improve Chitré's service, such as adding one million gallons of water to the system, acquiring new valves, and replacing pipes. Seven water treatment plants have been tendered, and IDAAN technical teams are conducting preventive maintenance inspections.

You can count on the support of the Ministry of the Presidency.

— Juan Carlos OrillacMinister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac assuring support for the national water strategy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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