$4.5 billion water supply plan

After years of failed promises by different administrations to fix  Panama’s perennial; drinking water problems, the government of Laurentino Cortizo has identified the need to invest $4.5 billion during the next five years to develop works that guarantee the supply.

The plans include multipurpose reservoirs to diversify water sources, in addition to building a distribution network in northern Panama reports La Prensa

Water production and distribution projects are planned in David, Santiago, Parita, Chitré, Los Santos, Las Tablas, Aguadulce, Arraiján and tourist areas such as the Pacific beaches, Costa Arriba and Costa Abajo de Colón and Isla Colón, in Bocas del Toro.

The transformation of the Institute of National Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan) will be vital in the coming years. It would do no good to increase production unless leaks are repaired, responsible for 40% of water loss. This is on the priority list of the 2020-2024 Government Strategic Plan.

The document also denounces the inefficient management of resources during the past administration. It notes that at the end of 2019, Idaan had 78 investment projects totaling more than $1.252 billion. But for that fiscal term and subsequent ones, $920 million are pending execution ..executed. Of this total, projects totaling  $800 million that have no external sources of financing

“The challenge will be to complete the projects in execution, ensuring that they comply with the agreed terms and conditions and explore the sources of financing that make their execution possible,” the official document highlights.