More Than a Month in Panama without Water in El Clavel de Arraiján

Arraiján, West Panama: More than a month without drinking water has forced residents of the El Clavel residential area, in the Juan Demóstenes Arosemena district, in Arraiján, West Panama, to change their daily routine and assume additional expenses to cover a basic need.  Residents report that the water supply, which used to arrive at least twice a week, has worsened over the past year, disappearing completely in recent weeks. They say they are spending more than $20 a week on drinking water and cooking supplies.  The situation affects more than 120 families in the area, where there are elderly people, children and people with special needs who depend on a service that, they say, they continue to pay for without receiving it. 

One of the residents, Dulce María, expressed her frustration. “There are elderly people, there are children, and there are people who need water. If we were not paying for it, that would be great, but we are paying for it, and it is a right we have as human beings to our water.  Why are they restricting us, and on top of that, leaving us without water in El Clavel?”  She added that the community is almost entirely affected.  “Almost every house is affected. Furthermore, water only reaches the first few houses on the last street, about three homes, but the rest of us have not had water for a month.”  

Another resident, Laura de La Torre, recounted the difficulties she faces daily. “Unfortunately, I haven’t had water at my house for about a month and a half, and what I have to do is look for water in other places to survive. I have to buy drinking water because what I get elsewhere is not good, so I have to buy bottled water for my house.”  Residents are calling on the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers to address the situation, which they say is worsening with each passing day and directly affecting their quality of life.