Droughts have always occurred. In Cuba’s case, there are two significant weather periods: the wet season (May-October) during which the country receives up to 75% of its yearly average rainfall, and the dry (November-April) which accounts for 25%.
However, the effects of climate change have meant longer and more frequent periods of drought across the country, with the island’s most recent water shortage beginning in mid 2014, and ongoing for three years now.
The National Institute of Water Resources is undertaking actions to combat and reduce the severity of the situation. José Antonio Hernández Álvarez, director of the institutions’ Rational Water Use department, spoke with Granma International about the issue:
What kind of drought are we talking about?
Hydrological drought, which is caused by a deficit in surface and subsurface water supplies, according to the expert.
“It is the result of a prolonged meteorological drought. A lack of rainfall means that reservoir levels and subsurface water supplies start to decrease, and in turn demand for water cannot be met.
“Despite adequate levels of rainfall from April through May (62% of the average for this period), the drought continues. Reservoirs are at 38% capacity, representing around 1,400 cubic meters of water less than the average for this time of year,” explained Hernández.
In addition to these figures, he also noted that of the 100 underground water sources managed by the institute, 22 are currently in a negative state, while 10 are classed as critical.
URGENT MEASURES
Partial water shortages are currently affecting 860,900 of the island’s inhabitants, with the provinces of Ciego de Ávila and Santiago de Cuba most affected by the drought. Meanwhile the lowest water levels are being seen in reservoirs in Ciego de Ávila, Sancti Spíritus and Camagüey.
Given the urgency of the situation, emergency measures are being adopted. These include linking water distribution systems in the provincial capitals of Santiago de Cuba, Sancti Spíritus, and Ciego de Ávila, in order to redirect water to depleted zones.
“The city of Ciego de Ávila is divided into two well-defined water supply systems in the north and the south. The northern system completely dried up and we had to install a connection around the entire periphery of the city in order to supply the population.
“A similar system is also currently being implemented in Sancti Spíritus, following a drop in the water levels of the Yayabo River, which supplies the capital. Work is underway to connect a supply line from the southern system to the depleted one,” noted Hernández.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Preventative measures toward reducing water waste, and increasing its efficient use, are also being carried out as part of the National Water Resources Plan.
These include controlling water consumption by central state administration bodies, and economic and social institutions, such as hospitals, hotels, schools, and industries, among others.
“A Temporary National Drought Task Force has been created and is responsible for inspecting and ensuring that organizations are complying with measures on a weekly basis. The provinces and entities can monitor progress being made toward fulfilling their planned allocations,” explained the director.
In regards to agriculture, Hernández noted that it has been necessary to put limits on the use of sprinklers given that it is the most inefficient form of irrigation. Their use meanwhile, has been completely prohibited in the worst affected areas, while more effective irrigation systems are being used in areas where the water situation permits.
At the same time a program prioritizing the use of drip, localized, and other more efficient irrigation systems is being implemented in order to reduce the impact of the drought on the agricultural sector. However, efforts are still underway to extend the initiative across the entire country.
NATIONAL WATER POLICY
The National Water Policy has been implemented since 2012, and aims to increase the efficient management of water and minimize the impact of drought on the island. The policy addresses issues such as water saving measures, sanitization, supply, and protection of inland water systems.
Since its implementation, consumption rates have been gradually adjusted for the agriculture sector as well as the rest of the island’s social and economic activities - efforts which have also led to the updating of associated technologies.
“Today many industries use more efficient technologies in their industrial processes and consume less water. In the case of hotels and hospitals, for example, measures have been adopted in the maintenance of hydro-sanitary systems,” added Hernández.
Added to this must be efforts across various activities to re-use water and collect rainwater, he said.
“These are used to irrigate green areas in tourist resorts for example, and have had a positive impact on industrial processes, above all in the beer brewing industry,” noted the expert.
Other efforts include water desalinization, an expensive but beneficial process for Cuba - an island surrounded by sea water. Such projects are currently being undertaken in the worst affected areas and where it is technically and economically viable.
“A group of water desalinization plants are being set up across the country, including in the city of Santiago de Cuba and the province’s southern coastline, in particular the municipality of Guamá; as well as in Guanabo in La Habana and the municipality of Venezuela, to the south of Ciego de Ávila.
“These investments represent important savings for water, which is pumped from the mainland, above all to Santa María and Coco Keys.
“Water is pumped to these areas from the mainland through a system of underground pipes, with all the risks and damage that could occur in the case of a breakage. A desalinization plant meanwhile, reduces dependency on the mainland by providing these zones with an independent water source located on the Keys themselves. The plants have a capacity of 60 liters per second and cover around 30% of the area’s water demands,” explained Hernández.
CUBA’S WATER CAMPAIGN
“We wouldn’t know how to tackle a drought of this type if it weren’t for the infrastructure built since the triumph of the Revolution in 1959,” stated Hernández, noting that during this period a nationwide “water campaign” was undertaken.
According to the expert, the idea emerged after Hurricane Flora hit the island. At that time, efforts were geared toward preventing floods, and collecting and storing as much water as possible during the wet season, which would then be used in the dry period.
“Thanks to the water supply systems which currently exist today, we have been able to reduce the impact of drought on the population, economy, and society in general. The cities of Holguín and Santiago de Cuba are almost fully supplied thanks to the pipe and storage system,” he added.
Maintenance and repair works have also been undertaken in order to increase efficiency, an example of which are the repairs being carried out on the Zaza-Ciego canal and works on the Cauto Derecho stretch in the eastern province of Granma.
“Four years ago we were losing 58% of the water, now we’ve reached 45%. In this sense around 200 million cubic meters of water in pipelines and canals have been saved.
This time, less damage has been caused than during milder droughts of the past. This achievement, Hernández explained, is also linked to a growing awareness within the community and institutions of the risks associated with drought and the importance of efficient water use.
FORECASTS FOR THE WET SEASON
According to studies by the Meteorological Institute, average rainfall is expected for this wet season (May, June and July), benefiting the east and west of the country above all.
However, the subsequent three months – August, September and October – could see below average levels, a problem given that this would mean a longer dry season.
With scarce rainfall, drought continues to negatively affect Cuba, a problem for which there is no quick fix. The island’s government is taking measures to provide an adequate, well-thought out solution, as well as create infrastructure to guarantee water for the entire population, despite the lack of rainfall.
