Ecobreves – CUBA: The Return of a Natural Pool

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

HAVANA, Sep 8 2007 (IPS) - A natural pool, Los Cangilones, along the Máximo River in the central Cuban province of Camagüey, will once again receive bathers year-round, after being rescued from contamination from the waste of a nearby fish farm. The rehabilitation was achieved with a 3,000-meter runoff canal and wastewater treatment, making use of the watershed's natural characteristics, planting trees along the banks, managing water resources, environmental education and an inspection system to preserve the area, Mayra González, Camagüey's environment director, told Tierramérica.

The pool, an environmental heritage site of the province, was closed for more than a decade. Bathers can now swim in its waters, but will be limited to a total of 500 people per day, said González.