Water Resources Management in Southeastern Panama; A Continuing and Emerging Case Study

December 19, 2018

Water Resources Management in Southeastern Panama; A Continuing and Emerging Case Study

This paper will be directly focused on innovative and easily adaptive measures for the preservation of watersheds and micro cuenca in the Alto Bayano and Darien regions of southeastern Panama. These watersheds must remain uncontaminated by limiting the expansion of chemical and agricultural activity. The presenters will utilize current and past water resources management experience to address these critical issues. Such experience in southeastern Panama includes the development of the St. Francis Natural Park Foundation which provides drinking water for more than 1000 people, the St. Joseph Aqueduct of Canasas Water System which provides drinking water for more than 7000 people and the Water System of Torti which provides drinking water for more than 7100 people.

The construction of dams (current and future) and mini dams will be addressed in this paper as real and cost effective means of providing a steady and reliable water supply throughout both the dry and rainy seasons in Panama. The use of basic water meters and simplified accountability systems for residential, commercial and industrial water management & conservation measures will also be addressed.

Demographics, expanding population extrapolations, public policy and law enforcement issues in this geographical region will also be addressed.

This paper will be written and presented jointly by the following:

1. Fr. Wally Kasuboski; member of the Watershed Committee #148 of Alto Bayano, President of the St. Francis Natural Park Foundation & Representative of the St. Joseph Aqueduct of Canasas

2. Prof. Frank E. Falcone; Registered Professional Engineer in the USA, Director of Professional Development for the College of Engineering at Villanova University with a Master’s Degree and more than 40 years of direct national and international experience in Water Resources Development and Management