BRIEFS. public works

La chorrera´s water woes continue

The shortage of potable water continuing to plague residential and businesses in La Chorrera is now jeopardizing the district´s firefighting capabilities.

La Chorrera´s fire chief, Felipe Caceres, said that at present only two hydrants in the district have the water pressure necessary to fill the main station´s tankers. However, both hydrants are located in the center of La Chorrera, leaving much of the community without adequate fire protection.

Yamileth Quintero, regional director of the Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales in Panama Oeste, explained that in La Chorrera there are problems with the potable water supply for two reasons: a prolonged dry season and the failure of the water treatment plant to meet the growing demand.

Quintero also mentioned that residents of Puerto Caimito had reported that vandals had been tampering with the mains supplying water to that community, exacerbating the district´s water woes.

The communities of Chame, Bejuco, Coronado, Gorgona and Punta Barco will experience even lower water pressures today between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. as Idaan crews repair a tear in a pipeline.