Lakeside deforesting contributing to Panama’s water problems

(Newsroompanama.com) Panama’s water problems have reached one of the city hospitals, leading to the cancelation of non essential surgeries and visiting hours.

Restaurants in some areas have also been affected by the shortage, leading to menu restrictions and the serving of meals on disposable plates, and homes  and businesses have been warned to conserve supplies

The hospital moves were made because of a shortage of potable water, and it could all be because of deforesting.
Juan José Amado III, a former director of the water and sewer agency Idaan, said that the extensive removal of trees along the shore of the Alajuela Lake most likely contributed to the recent problems at the Chilibre water purification plant.
The cutting of trees along the banks meant that a large amount of mud and sediment entered the lake during the recent heavy rains. and the mud ended up damaging the plant. The problem should be resolved as soon as the amount of sediment in the water decreases, but he urged customers to conserve water.
At the Social Security Hospital Arnulfo Arias Madrid on Vía Transístmica. Medical Director Roberto Mitre said that essential services, like hemodialysis and chemotherapy, would continue.
He said that the hospital was ready to deal with victims of recent flooding if they needed hospitalization.

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Original Source: Newsroompanama.com

Date Retrieved: December 17, 2010.