Water Outages Keep Hitting Cuenca — Broken Main on Remigio Crespo, 18 Sectors Cut Off

Two Outages in One Week

Cuenca's been dealing with a frustrating stretch of water disruptions, and if you live anywhere near Avenida Remigio Crespo, you probably felt the latest one firsthand.

On March 21, a water main broke at the intersection of Calle Latinoamérica and Avenida Remigio Crespo — one of the busiest corridors in the city and a major expat neighborhood. The break cut water service to 18 sectors across the south-central part of the city, and ETAPA (Cuenca's water and telecom utility) had to deploy tanker trucks (tanqueros) to the worst-affected areas while crews worked on repairs.

That came barely a week after a separate outage on March 13, caused by planned pipeline work connected to the construction of the new Municipal Hospital in Baños. That one affected a different set of neighborhoods but added to the overall sense that the water system is under stress right now.

Why Remigio Crespo Matters

For anyone new to Cuenca, Avenida Remigio Crespo is basically the main artery of the expat corridor. It runs east-west through some of the most popular neighborhoods for foreign residents — lined with restaurants, cafés, shops, and apartment buildings. A water outage here doesn't just affect a few houses; it hits a dense, heavily trafficked part of the city.

The 18 affected sectors stretched well beyond Remigio Crespo itself, impacting surrounding residential areas where many expats rent or own homes.

ETAPA's Response

ETAPA dispatched tanqueros (water tanker trucks) to affected neighborhoods and said crews were working to repair the break as quickly as possible. For the March 13 outage, ETAPA had given advance notice since it was planned maintenance — but the March 21 break was unexpected, leaving residents scrambling.

To be fair to ETAPA, broken mains happen in every city, and they did get trucks out relatively quickly. But two disruptions in eight days highlights the age and vulnerability of parts of Cuenca's water infrastructure, especially as the city grows and construction projects put additional strain on existing pipes.

What You Should Do

This isn't Cuenca's first water outage and it won't be the last. Here's how to be ready:

• Keep emergency water stored. A few 5-gallon jugs (bidones) filled with tap water costs you nothing and saves you when the water cuts out unexpectedly. Aim for at least 20 liters per person as a baseline
• Know where your nearest tanquero fill point is. During outages, ETAPA typically stations trucks at parks and major intersections. Follow ETAPA's social media for real-time updates
• If you have a cisterna (rooftop or underground tank), make sure it's maintained and full. Many Cuenca apartments have these — check with your landlord
• Don't rely on hot water heaters during outages. Running a calefón or electric heater without water flow can damage the unit
• Fill your bathtub or large containers if ETAPA announces planned maintenance in advance

The Bigger Picture

Cuenca's water infrastructure is aging, and the city is growing. Construction projects like the new hospital in Baños are necessary, but they put short-term stress on existing systems. ETAPA has been investing in upgrades, but breaks like the one on Remigio Crespo are a reminder that the system isn't bulletproof.

During rainy season, the risk of both breaks (from ground shifting) and contamination (from runoff) goes up. If you're on municipal water, keeping a reserve isn't paranoia — it's just practical.

Source: El Mercurio