Cuba

 General Information

Cuba’s extensive hydraulic infrastructure has secured high levels of access to water and sanitation, 92.4% of the entire population has access to drinking water and 95.8% to sanitation. However, inefficiencies, high network losses, and limited wastewater treatment have strained resources and ecosystems. Climate change, saline intrusion in coastal aquifers, and pollution from agriculture and industry further exacerbate water stress, placing Cuba among countries with the highest pressure on available freshwater resources. 

National priorities have focused on strengthening watershed councils and reducing pollution in vulnerable basins. However, institutional gaps and limited resources have constrained local implementation. 

Through GEF CReW+, Cuba strengthened Municipal and Provincial Watershed Councils to integrate water quality and ecosystem protection into decision-making. This enhanced local governance structures and improved coordination between national policies and community action. At the same time, the project supported the rehabilitation of the sewerage system of Rodas municipality in Cienfuegos Province. These improvements significantly reduced untreated discharges into the Damují reservoir, improving water quality and reducing health risks for residents.