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Panama evaluates priority works to increase water treatment plant production
🇵🇦 Panama /Energy & Infrastructure

Panama evaluates priority works to increase water treatment plant production

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Panama's National Aqueducts and Sewers Institute (Idaan) is evaluating priority projects to boost production at the Chilibre water treatment plant.
  • The plant, which supplies about 90% of Panama City and San Miguelito, faces infrastructure obsolescence despite meeting current quality standards.
  • Idaan is also implementing measures like repairing leaks to optimize water distribution and improve supply to underserved areas.

Panama's National Aqueducts and Sewers Institute (Idaan) is undertaking a comprehensive review of its main water treatment plants, starting with the crucial Chilibre facility, which serves approximately 90% of Panama City and the San Miguelito district. This initiative aims to identify and implement priority projects to enhance the plant's production capacity and operational efficiency.

Idaan Director Antonio Tercero met with plant directors, technical staff, and the superintendent to assess ongoing actions and determine necessary investments. "This is the first of many working groups we will be holding across the country to coordinate all immediate actions these water treatment plants require to provide better drinking water supply," Tercero stated. The discussions included reviewing current contracts and identifying essential upcoming works, such as upgrades to the electrical substation and treatment trains.

This is the first of many working groups we will be holding across the country to coordinate all immediate actions these water treatment plants require to provide better drinking water supply.

— Antonio TerceroIdaan Director Antonio Tercero explained the purpose of the working group meetings.

The Chilibre complex comprises three treatment plants built in 1975, 2007, and 2022. While currently producing water that meets quality standards, parts of the infrastructure are considered obsolete, necessitating equipment replacement. "It is imperative for us to start replacing certain elements in both the raw water intake and the treatment plant itself," Tercero affirmed.

Currently, the plant operates at its full capacity of 220 million gallons per day, falling short of its nominal capacity of 250 million gallons daily. To bridge this 30-million-gallon gap, Idaan is awaiting the arrival of new pump motors and other equipment designed to optimize raw water intake and increase overall production. Additionally, the institute is pursuing initiatives like the "Panama Without Leaks" operation, which recently repaired 121 leaks in Panama Norte, aiming to reduce water loss and improve distribution to elevated and remote communities.

It is imperative for us to start replacing certain elements in both the raw water intake and the treatment plant itself.

— Antonio TerceroIdaan Director Antonio Tercero highlighted the need for infrastructure upgrades at the Chilibre plant.
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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