Panama faces greater prospect of water rationing

Water rationing is becoming more likely in Panama, as an extension of the dry season through July is forecast, to be followed by less-than-average rainfall, said Julia Elena Guardia, director of state water utility Idaan.

Water rationing has already begun in the Chame district, on the Pacific coast west of Panama City, while the measure could be extended to other areas of the country if water conservation initiatives fail to reduce overconsumption, Guardia said in an interview with local channel TVN Noticias.

Panamanians consume a daily average of 400l, double that of their Latin American counterparts, the water division of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has said.

To confront the scarcity Idaan has focused efforts on its subsurface resources via a program to increase extraction from wells.

The program entails deepening and restoring existing wells, and perforating new ones, Guardia said.

The utility has also stepped up tanker truck deliveries and is advancing works to protect water intake systems and build dikes.

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