Water Scarcity

Water Scarcity in Panama City

By Marco Hernandez

​"Not even money is enough to have proper water": Panama's other water crisis beyond the Canal

Multiple Select

What are the main causes of Panama's water crisis beyond the Canal? Two choices.

• Lack of rainfall due to climate change

• Insufficient infrastructure to treat and distribute water

• Rapid and unplanned population growth

• Overuse of water by the Panama Canal

• High water tariffs discouraging consumption

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements about water distribution in Panama are true? Three choices.

• The Panama Canal supplies water to 55% of the country's population.

• All Panamanians have regular access to potable water in their homes.

• Some residents rely on water delivered by tanker trucks.

• The government has successfully eliminated all informal water connections.

• Urban areas have seen a doubling of population without corresponding infrastructure development.

Multiple Select

What challenges does the Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales (IDAAN) face in addressing the water crisis? Three choices.

• Obsolete infrastructure leading to water leaks.

• Sufficient funding to upgrade water systems.

• Difficulty in updating water tariffs since 1982.

• Public resistance to infrastructure projects.

• Balancing water distribution between urban and rural areas.

​Project Proposal: "Water for All: Sustainable Access to Clean Water in Panama"

Objective: To ensure equitable and sustainable access to potable water for all Panamanians, particularly in underserved urban and rural communities, by addressing infrastructure deficiencies, promoting responsible water usage, and enhancing institutional capacity.

​Addressing Panama's water crisis requires a multifaceted approach that combines infrastructure development, policy reform, public education, and institutional strengthening.

By implementing this comprehensive project, Panama can move towards ensuring that all its citizens have reliable access to clean and safe water.