WATER CRISIS Government has had IDAAN review team in place for 18 months

After 35 days of water crisis in Panama, President Ricardo Martinelli has announced a "complete overhaul" of the national water authority, IDAAN, and a cancelation of billing for non delivered December “supplies”.

There have been persistent calls for the firing or resignation of the body’s director Manuel González Ruiz.

Martinelli said in a press release, that there has been a review team, led by Minister for Canal Affairs Rómulo Roux, from the start of the current administration's term.
"This review seeks to ensure that IDAAN is handled with the same criteria and efficiency currently implemented by the Panama Canal Authority” says the release. Privatization has been ruled out.
In the meantime the government has announced the waiving of fees for December’s water supply for those who were affected in the capital and San Miguelito.
The rebate will be reflected inn the February billing.
Roux said that, the two water treatment plants in Chilibre are producing 125 million gallons of water and stressed that the Chilibre plant is working 24 hours a day to get back to the normal production of potable water. In the short term and while the crisis continues, authorities will be working on a coordinated plan to provide water to people.
This plan includes the distribution of bottled water and enabling some hydrants for the distribution of water, and an increase in delivery via tanker trucks, 24 hours a day
The drinking water crisis in Panama city began on Dec. 8, 2010.