How Cuba’s Energy Crisis Sparked a Daily Struggle for Water

Cuba’s energy crisis has long been a ticking time bomb, but its ripple effects on the country’s water supply have only recently gained attention from those outside the island nation. Power cuts that leave people in darkness also dry up taps, forcing millions to rely on an informal water economy.

The statistics are stark: nearly 3 million Cubans struggle to access clean drinking water, with up to 70% of Havana’s water lost through leaks before it reaches households. The country’s water system operates at just 37% of its fuel requirements, a number that would be unacceptable in any nation. Wealthier families can afford private water trucks, but for the majority, the daily struggle is real.

Journalist and historian Carlos Montaner notes that Cuba’s economic crisis has been unfolding since 2006, driven by a lack of investment in infrastructure, corruption, and mismanagement. This perfect storm has left the country vulnerable to shocks like the energy crisis.

For Mirella Martínez, a 61-year-old former security guard, the daily struggle for water is a testament to human resilience. She walks miles each day to fetch water for her family, despite being retired. “I make this journey three times a day even though I’m retired… At my age, I shouldn’t be carrying these jerrycans, but I have no choice,” she says.

The image of Martínez pushing an old metal trolley through Havana’s Chinatown is echoed throughout the country – elderly women carrying heavy loads on their heads or bicycles as they make their way to pumping stations. This crisis goes beyond personal stories; it speaks to a broader issue: Cuba’s crumbling infrastructure and its inability to adapt.

The country’s water system was designed in the early 20th century, with little investment made since then. The result is a network that is outdated and inefficient – increasingly reliant on expensive imports of fuel. This crisis is a microcosm of challenges facing developing nations worldwide, where climate change intensifies droughts and floods.

Cities struggle to provide basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity. Cuba’s situation serves as a warning: neglect infrastructure at your own peril. The long-term consequences will be dire.

For now, Cubans continue to adapt – selling water on the black market, investing in private trucks, or relying on neighbors for help. These stopgap solutions are unsustainable, and the human cost is real. Reyes, an intensive care physician turned water seller, puts it starkly: “We spend hours walking under the blazing sun before carrying buckets up staircases… It’s exhausting, but at least we always have something to eat.”

As Cuba looks towards a future where its energy crisis may be addressed, one thing is clear: the water crisis will not go away overnight. Addressing it requires long-term investment in infrastructure, a commitment to transparency, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

For Mirella Martínez’s words serve as a reminder that, in Cuba, water and electricity are no longer basic rights – but luxuries reserved for those with means or access to resources. Until this changes, Cubans will continue to face an uncertain future – one where every litre counts.