Reducing Pollution in Havana Bay

HAVANA TIMES, Dec. 9 — Pollution in Havana Bay has been reduced by more than 55 percent since 1998 thanks to the environmental management practices of a Cuban governmental working group, reported the Juventud Rebelde newspaper yesterday.

Systems are now in place to clean the water as well as to collect floating solids, oil mixtures, and sunken and unused vessels.

Nonetheless, there continues to be poor management of wastes issuing from industries and a weak system of wastewater treatment.

Nestled in a five-square kilometer area and surrounded by 106 sources of pollution, Havana Bay has suffered centuries of contamination, which is what has led to its critical condition, said the newspaper.