More Water Problems in Chitré, Panama After the Earthquake of Oct 9th.

The earthquake of October 9th continues to reveal the extent of the damage it caused.  In Chitré, a 400,000-gallon storage tank at the Roberto Reina water treatment plant presented structural cracks which complicated the water pressure, and led to service interuptions in various parts of the district, particularly in the higher elevation areas and the at the far ends of the grid. 

A comprehensive action plan was announced by the director of IDAAN, Antonio Tercero González to address the damage, and stabilize and improve the supply of water for the residents of the area.  

The official clarified that the water treatment plant continues to generate 6.5 million gallons of water per day as before. However, the aqueduct was already experiencing production shortages and the loss of the tank intensified the distribution problems.

Some of the measures include the temporary installation of a modular plant that will add an additional one million gallons. The contracting company, which already had a notice to proceed, is expected to begin work to permanently boost the water treatment plant’s production.  Crews are adjusting valves and pumping schedules throughout the day to redirect pressure toward high-altitude and distant neighborhoods as well as installing a bypass at the Roberto Reyna plant to send water directly into the distribution network while performing manual chlorination.  The damaged 400,000 gallon tank will be replaced and water trucks have been mobilized to supply drinking water directly to affected communities.

Across the country, IDAAN inspected over 40 storage tanks after the quake and identified 26 critically damaged tanks slated for immediate dismantling to prevent hazards.