Panama Oeste loses half its water to leaks; 150+ repairs underway

Panama Oeste is grappling with a significant water crisis, losing nearly half of its daily potable water production to leaks and system failures. This substantial loss, estimated at around 73.5 million gallons out of a daily production of 147 million gallons, directly contributes to water supply problems and low pressure in numerous communities across the province.

In response, the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan) has initiated 'Panamá Sin Fuga' (Panama Without Leaks), a large-scale operation in Arraiján aimed at addressing over 150 previously identified and georeferenced leak points. The interventions began in Loma Cová, where crews and heavy equipment worked to repair a major pipeline rupture that had affected nearby communities' water supply.

Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac, emphasized the program's importance, stating, "This program seeks to recover water that is lost every day due to leaks and that the Panamanian population needs so much." He added that this critical issue, which he claims was neglected in the past, will significantly help areas with irregular water access or low pressure.

The 'Panamá Sin Fuga' operation mobilizes more than 140 Idaan employees, organized into nine crews, with reinforcements from the metropolitan region and other parts of the country. These teams are working simultaneously in various sectors of Arraiján, including the head town, Cerro Silvestre, Vista Alegre, Juan Demóstenes Arosemena, and Burunga. Idaan plans to prioritize leaks with the greatest impact on distribution, deploying teams during early morning hours to minimize traffic disruption. The institution anticipates that these repairs will help recover a considerable amount of wasted water, stabilize water pressure, and progressively improve the supply to affected areas.

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This program seeks to recover water that is lost every day a causa de las fugas and that the Panamanian population needs so much. This is a tema crucial that was not attended in the past and that will help enormously the areas where the resource does not arrive or the pressure is very low.