El Caño residents complain about lack of drinking water

Residents of Calle el Estudiante in El Caño, Natá, within the province of Coclé, are grappling with a severe water crisis, enduring a two-year struggle for access to potable water. The community reports receiving water intermittently, and when it does arrive, it is often contaminated with sediment, rendering it unfit for consumption. This situation has not only caused significant daily inconvenience but has also led to various health issues among the residents.

Silvia Gonzáles, a local resident, described the daily hardship, explaining that she often wakes at 3:00 a.m. to collect even a small amount of dirty water. She recounted a particularly distressing incident where the water supplied was salty, and the local water authority, Idaan, advised residents to add sugar to it. This response highlights the perceived lack of effective solutions and adequate support from official channels.

The community has seen various proposals aimed at resolving the water problem, including the installation of wells and turbines connecting to other water sources, and water injection systems. However, these efforts have reportedly resulted in the delivery of dirty water. Residents express frustration over the lack of communication with local representatives and feel abandoned, lamenting the absence of assistance from authorities.

While some families can afford to purchase bottled water, many cannot, exacerbating the hardship. As the region anticipates the potential impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which could worsen drought conditions, the residents of El Caño continue to appeal to various authorities for urgent assistance to secure a stable and clean water supply.