Ecobreves – CUBA: : Water Arrives by Train

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

HAVANA, Nov 15 2004 (IPS) - The eastern Cuban city of Holguín is receiving 300,000 liters of water a day, delivered by train, to deal with the shortages caused by continued severe drought, reported the local government. The water will continue to arrive by train until a 50-km pipeline is completed to carry water from the Cauto River to the purification plants near the city.

Holguín, located 700 km from Havana and home to 300,000 people, will receive 500 liters of water per second from the Cauto once the project is complete.

The drought emergency was declared 15 months ago, and according to the province's water resources director, Henry Parra, the area reservoirs hold only enough water for three months. Residents receive water every five or six days.