Climate change and a longer heat wave could put a strain on Guatemala City’s water supply. In this sense, the Municipal Water Company (Empagua) accelerates the drilling of new wells to guarantee supply during the dry season.
In interview with Free press Radio This Monday, July 6, Álvaro Hugo Rodas, manager of Empagua, expanded details on the matter.
He explained that between 60% and 65% of the water that supplies the city comes from underground sources and between 35% and 40% from surface sources, depending on the time of year.
He said that, in times of drought, surface sources are the most affected. Although groundwater also suffers some effects, they analyze how to minimize the impact in the event of any eventuality.
Among the surface sources that could be most affected is the Xayá-Pixcayá system, which is supplied by two rivers in Chimaltenango and supplies water to the city.
He added that the other plants are near the valley of Guatemala City. Santa Luisa, for example, is supplied by rivers located in the San José Pinula area, in the Teosinte dam, fed by the Manguita, Piedrona and Aguatibia rivers.
There is also the Cambray plant, in zone 10, which is supplied by the Pinula River.
Rodas added that the Las Ilusiones plant, in zone 18, could also be affected by a drought in the capital’s valley.
In that sense, they analyze how to enable a line to transfer water from an underground system to a surface system, although for now the supply of the vital liquid is guaranteed.
He indicated that projects such as buildings must have their own water source.
Rodas explained that the wells are now deeper. Currently they are drilling at least 13 in different sectors of the city. He added that there are no longer thousand-foot wells; Now they are at least 1,800 feet deep to find water.
Another action will be to analyze how to bring water supply not only to Guatemala City, but to the entire metropolitan area.
He explained that they prepare the municipal water plan, but the river basins and springs are not exactly where the resource is consumed.
He stressed that it is necessary to analyze, on a national scale, how to capture water.
He recommended minimizing water consumption, for example, when washing a vehicle. In addition, he stated that they are strict in detecting illicit connections and verifying that the meters work properly.
On June 6, the authorities of the Executive Secretariat of the Conred reported that they are developing the institutional mechanism to declare an alert regarding the possible effects of El Niño.
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