The Water of Panama

The total precipitation volume in the country is estimated at 233.8 billion m³ / year, estimating a national annual average of 2,924 l / m², with a minimum of 1,000 l / m² and a maximum of 7,000 l / m², being the highest value registered for Central America 

Most of the rainfall is captured by the extensive water network made up of 52 hydrographic basins and 500 rivers, the majority of which originate on the continental divide and run off the coast. 

In the Atlantic slope, there are 18 hydrographic basins with 150 rivers, the other 34 hydrographic basins and 350 rivers are located on the Pacific side.

In Panama, the total availability of fresh water has been estimated at 119.5 billion cubic meters of which only about 25.8% is used. 

Estimates of the increase in water demand by 2050, forecast a surplus of more than 50%of that availability.

Consumptive uses of water are considered as human consumption, which demands 1.3%of the total fresh water used, the agricultural sector 1.7%, for industrial use 0.02% and recreational tourism sector 0.01%. 

Regarding non-consumptive uses, the hydroelectric sector demands 89.6% of the total use, the operation of the Panama Canal uses 7.4% for the transit of ships and merchandise, and 0.01% is demanded for scenic beauty.

The concessions for the use of underground and fresh surface water, for different uses, register a total of 1,379 water use rights approved in 2015.

 As for the infrastructure for water use, it includes 60 water treatment plants; 5,397 rural aqueduct systems; 783 irrigation systems (public and private); 1 wastewater treatment plant; 45 hydroelectric projects; 263 hydrometeorological stations for monitoring the water resource.