In Panama, the construction of an agency is required to collect payments for the potable water service, installation of pipelines and distribution of the resource.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, includes an updated list of public and private construction projects that have submitted environmental impact studies (EIA) to the respective institutions in each country.
The Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados de Panamá has invited tenders for a four-month period for the transportation, distribution and supply of drinking water through tanker trucks for the areas of East Panama, Darien, Tocumen, Chilibre, Colon and Arraijan.
Panama Government Purchase 2020-2-66-0-99-LP-016929:
"Mandatory equipment, which must be available to the tanker trucks:
The Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados de Panamá tenders for the transport, distribution and supply of drinking water through tankers.
Panama Government Purchase 2020-2-66-0-99-LP-015470:
"Mandatory equipment, which must be available to the tanker trucks:
a. 3.5 HP motor pump
b. Minimum 2.5-inch diameter hydrant hose.
c. Plastic distribution hose 1.5 inches in diameter by 20 feet long and special wrench to open hydrant
In Panama, growth in water consumption is putting pressure on reservoirs and forcing the design of new alternatives for improving infrastructure, starting with the creation of new reservoirs.
Data from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) indicates that 350 million gallons of water are currently being consumed per day, an amount that it was thought would not be reached until 2025.
With a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank, a process to optimize the production and distribution system of drinking water in Panama will be implemented.
The program includes improving the management of the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage Systems (IDAAN) and the optimization of the system to produce and distribute potable water.The Government of Panama will contribute an additional US $5.5 million to the program, for a total value of US $255.5 million.
The Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage Systems in Panama is putting out to tender transportation, distribution and supply of drinking water for the areas, Chilibre, Tocumen, Pacora, Tanara, Chepo, Colon, San Miguelito, Chorrera and Arraijan.
Panama Government Purchase 2016-2-66-0-99-LA-010627:
The service contract is for the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017.
Forty water bottling and processing plants operate in the country, distributing more than 20 imported brands or brands produced locally in the country.
While peak consumption of bottled water occurs between January and April, during the dry summer season, growth in consumption and sales of this product has shown an upward trend in recent years, competing directly with sodas and other types of beverages.
"It is unacceptable that in a country with enviable economic growth and being the fifth country in the world with the most rainfall" there is no secured access to clean water for its inhabitants.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):
PROVIDING THE COUNTRY WITH DRINKING WATER REQUIRES SPECIAL EFFORT
The Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage Systems plans to invest, during the Varela administration, $934 million in 234 projects, of which 136 are new, 89 are follow-up and 9 are multi continuity.
Among the works planned are the expansion of the water treatment plant Federico Guardia Conte (Chilibre) and Chitre, construction of water treatment plants in the Bayano and Dolega River, renovation of the water system in Puerto Armuelles, Santa Marta, Cerro Punta and Guarumal among others.
An agreement has been made to transfer resources to the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage Systems in order to carry out water treatment works, buy equipment and renovate wells.
The new budget will be used to buy pumps to renovate wells, "... dredging rivers, purchase of equipment and chemicals needed to purify the raw water, well renovations and employment of at least 150 employees in key positions."
Despite being one of the areas with the highest housing growth forecast for the coming years, the problem of drinking water shortages remains unresolved.
As in 2013 , employers in the area are once again denouncing the problems that exist due to lack of water treatment plants and new water sources in Arraiján and other districts in western Panama.
Some of the possible solutions being studied in the various policies on rural water, are the construction of a new water treatment plant, drilling from underground wells, reinforcing the use of tank trucks and restricting developments of the number of houses that can be built in each stage.
Panama is inviting bids for transportation services, distribution and supply of drinking water through tankers.
Panama Government Purchase 2014-2-66-0-99-AV-007668-:
"CONTRACT FOR SERVICES OF TRANSPORT, DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY OF WATER USING TANKERS FOR THE AREAS CHILIBRE, SAN MIGUELITO, TOCUMEN, PACORA, ARRAIJAN, CHORRERA AND COLON PROVINCE."
The Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage Systems plans to build a monitoring and control center and install a telemetry and remote control system for its water lines.
Prensa.com reports: The head of the entity, Abdiel Cano, explained that this system will allow the Idaan to detect any damage occuring on the network (valves, piping, etc.) and fix it, and will reduce the high pressures on the lines during the night, which sometimes results in pipes breaking. "