Havana, Cuba

Havana, the primate city in Cuba, lies along the coast and is known for its history, culture, architecture and monuments. While the country as a whole is well-endowed with surface and groundwater resources, relatively little is known about Havana’s water resources. Havana’s water security issues stem from a combination of social, political and environmental factors that have resulted in a lack of alternative water sources in the quality and quantity required to meet the increasing demand for water, along with aging infrastructure that hinders efficient supply. Havana’s socialist policies have enabled a significant investment in the water and sanitation sector, and additional support is provided through international projects and funds. Havana’s water utility, Aguas de la Habana, provides water through state-owned infrastructure to city residents, however, upgrades and repairs to the system are lacking due to political and technical constraints (i.e., US embargo resulting in an inability to procure necessary materials and new technologies). Large-scale infrastructure projects are implemented by the national government to improve water management, including desalination plants and wastewater treatment plants. As a coastal city, Havana is vulnerable to the risks posed by climate change, including sea level rise and flooding, however, a lack of research and data on weather patterns, climatography and other technical areas due to a lack of equipment and/or outdated tools makes it challenging to adopt adaptation and/or mitigation measures.