Panama: convert air into water for the thirsty Azuero

Francisco Rivas Ríos.

apronad@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/apronadpanama/

The Government of Panama in August 2015 and by Resolution of the Cabinet Council created the High Level Committee on Water Security, to cope with El Niño, prompting shares to the drought affecting the country, especially the region of Azuero. The Committee is composed, among others, by the Ministry of Environment (MIAMBIENTE), the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) and the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN).

The most affected areas are located throughout the Panamanian Pacific, increasing by Arco Seco region, namely Los Santos and Herrera, Cocle and Veraguas. Herrera and Los Santos, rivers and streams were not recovered during the "rainy" season in 2015 as the rains were sporadic and weak.

IDAAN leads the actions provide potable water to the population, in this period of crisis. With a budget of $ 20 million drives two major initiatives: a) the extension of the water treatment plants; b) well construction and maintenance of water intakes.

These measures are known, but they lose effectiveness to the extent that climate change deepens its influence. Surface and groundwater sources during the dry season, drastically reduce their volumes: which is to purify water if it is increasingly scarce?, with the aggravating circumstance that the distribution system is highly deteriorated, with large leaks potable.

In addition, water sources show varying levels of pollution by the dumping of chemicals, solid and liquid waste, the latter from pig farms. It is called the crisis of the Rio La Villa by the discharge of atrazine (see The crisis of drinking water in Azuero, Panama http://wp.me/pI43Y-pr) and the enormous social, political and financial costs.

The construction of wells has the problem that the Aquifer increasingly deeper, and often shows high water salinity level off and contamination with heavy metals.

Short, dry, and polluted rivers and wells, forcing to evaluate different technologies aqueducts and water treatment options. The key lies in adapting to climate change.

Faced with this situation, organizations of the civil society independent professionals, technicians and company and the United States spent the last four months designing a proposal to convert the moisture into drinking water through the construction of Atmospheric Water Plants (Atmospheric Water).

 

The proposal has been adapted to the conditions of the company Azuero in Panama First Water representative of Atmospheric Water Solutions, Inc.

The proposal is to take the humidity, process it and turn it into drinking water. There is enough moisture in the provinces of Herrera and Los Santos to achieve this goal, as shown in the following graph:

In the province of Los Santos lower moisture levels in the last five years (considered the most critical) was 61%. We consider that 30% is the lowest level acceptable for the operation of the plant, above 60% is considered operationally optimal. The data are similar in the Province of Herrera.

In view of the foregoing, it is proposed to implement Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG) in communities that meet the social and institutional requirements, sized to meet the size of its population.

The plant attracts moisture from the air and turn it into drinking water. 

• The plant requires no source of surface water or groundwater. Drinking water will be bottled and delivered to residents throughout the year. 
• Using this type of drinking water during the rainy season, reduce pressure on the walls, allowing water recharge for the dry season. 
• During the dry season it becomes an excellent source of drinking water.

It has submitted the following comparative table:

The proposal will be submitted for consideration by government authorities, local civil society, universities and the business sector in Chitre on 14 January. Extremes informed of the progress of this proposal.