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Sustainable provision
of safe water in Cuba
About the country
One of the last vestiges of communism. After the revolution in 1959, Fidel Castro had promised to restore order and hold free elections, but quickly forgot his promises and built a Soviet dictatorial system. 60 years later, nothing has fundamentally changed on this point. The regime has in the meantime degenerated into a kleptocracy, although according to Transparency International, Cuba is improving its ranking in terms of corruption, with a 62nd place out of 180.
Under embargo since 1962, then economically hooked to the Soviet bloc, but the collapse of the USSR deprived the Cuban budget of 6 billion dollars annually and caused a 35% drop in GDP. The island was able to recover a catastrophic situation with the help of the "progressive" countries of Latin America. But a series of hurricanes and the weakening of its last supports leave Cuba isolated politically and economically. Though, Cuba is notable for at least 2 reasons.
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The environment. With an important biodiversity and many endemic species, its natural beauty is almost intact. There are more than 250 protected areas on 22% of the territory.
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More remarkable, the Human Development Index, (HDI) determined by life expectancy, education, health, and standard of living. To achieve sustainable development, the ecological footprint per capita cannot exceed 1.7 hectare (Luxembourg holds the world record with 15.8 hectares) and a HDI greater than 0.7. Cuba is the only country to achieve both goals with a global per capita ecological footprint of 1.6 hectares and a "very high" HDI of 0.815 (44th in the World).
Main objectives
It is about increasing the availability and quality of water using environmentally friendly technologies that contribute to climate security and sustainable development.
In the province of Holguin (east of Cuba), most of the population receives not drinkable water. More than 1,730,000 m3 are supplied each year, 50% of which are treated to be drinkable. Water is pumped using diesel pumps to fill tanks. It is then routed to homes or distribution points. This service is intermittent, forcing more than 95% of the population to store water in tanks so that the safety effect of the treatment is partially lost, and the population is exposed to gastric and parasitic diseases. Moreover, water stored in elevated tanks and cannot be chlorinated because electricity is scarcely available. A connection to the national grid in these remote areas is extremely expensive.
Key principles
The project will consist of the installation of photovoltaic chlorinators fitted with all the necessary infrastructure works to ensure the supply of drinking water to the population from different remote communities of Báguanos municipality. In addition, 4 photovoltaic energy pump systems will be installed in 4 communities to provide additional supply for more than 500 people.
In cooperation with Solidarité Luxembourg-Cuba : https://www.facebook.com/sol.lux.cuba