Still Raining, Dirty Water Cuts

The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage Systems has classified the potable water supply issue as serious and says it does not know when water treatment plant service will normalize.

Water turbidity problems have temporarily suspended operation of the Miraflores plant and the Chilibre plant is operating at 63% capacity.

“What is happening is beyond any forecast of what can happen,” Rodrigo Barragan, head of the water institute’s treatment plants, acknowledged.  He also explained that it will take several days for the sediment to settle naturally after the rains stop and urged water users to conserve.

And, the hydrometeolorogical management of the Etasa electric company expects more rainfall for Panama East, Colon and the Darien over the next 24 hours.

The Tocumen meteorological station has registered 265 millimeters of rain from December 1 to 12, or 315% more than the 63.8 millimeters scheduled.

And don’t drink the water.

La Prensa and La Critica report.