Idaan strengthens well-pumping systems in Bocas del Toro ahead of El Niño effects

Panama’s Institute of Aqueducts and National Sewers, known as Idaan, is reinforcing pumping systems at wells in Bocas del Toro as the province prepares for possible effects from El Niño.

The agency is upgrading eight wells so they can provide additional capacity and serve as backup sources if flooding affects the province’s drinking-water treatment plants. Four wells have already received new equipment, including two located in Guabito and Puente Torre.

An Idaan official in Bocas del Toro said the phenomenon would affect each province differently. In the Caribbean province, heavy flooding could damage the water-capture areas that feed the treatment plants.

The agency is also replacing low-capacity equipment with more powerful systems as rainfall increases river flows. If flooding or damage forces a temporary suspension of treatment-plant operations, the upgraded wells will support water tanker trucks.

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The phenomenon will affect each province differently. In the case of Bocas del Toro, in the Caribbean, we will have heavy flooding that could damage the capture areas of our water-treatment plants.