Colón is a vibrant city and seaport in Panama, situated on the beautiful Caribbean Sea and near the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal. While Colón has its charm, it has also faced some challenges over the years, particularly with flooding and sewer issues.
Colón’s Ongoing Infrastructure Challenges
These problems stem from its aging infrastructure, which dates to the days of the Panama Canal’s construction. In 2004, some upgrades were made that helped improve things, but they did not separate the city’s stormwater and sewage systems.
The combined sewer system, where both wastewater and stormwater flow through the same pipes, makes the city prone to flooding and raw sewage overflow. For example, in November 2022, heavy rains caused a landslide in Colón Province that tragically resulted in the deaths of two people (Davies, 2022).
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are designed to prevent wastewater treatment facilities from being overloaded during heavy rain and to stop wastewater from backing up into homes. However, during wet weather, stormwater also enters the combined sewer system.
When the combined flow of wastewater and stormwater exceeds the capacity of the pipes, it can lead to backups into properties or result in raw sewage spilling into the streets. To prevent these issues, the CSO system allows the combined discharge of stormwater and raw sewage into nearby water bodies (Combined Sewer Overflow, 2024).
The Historical Roots of Colón’s Water Systems
In 1903, the United States built the water and wastewater systems in Panama and Colón as part of the Panama Canal Treaty. Besides constructing these systems, the US was responsible for managing and operating them for 50 years.
This arrangement was intended to allow for the recovery of construction costs and to provide Panama with time to develop its own skilled workforce. Additionally, the construction of the wastewater system was a crucial part of sanitation programs aimed at controlling outbreaks of yellow fever and malaria.
The Panama Canal is regarded as one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century. Still, the construction of this 48-mile-long artificial waterway came at a high cost, claiming the lives of thousands. The project began in 1881 under a French company, during which an estimated 22,000 workers died from diseases spread by mosquitoes, particularly yellow fever.
When the Americans took over the project in 1901, 69% of the deaths (376 out of 548) were attributed to yellow fever and malaria, despite vigorous efforts to control mosquito breeding.
The remaining 164 fatalities resulted from industrial accidents, including dynamite explosions, railroad accidents, electrocutions, drownings, and various other types of traumas.
Renewed U.S.–Panama Collaboration on Solutions
In May 2025, members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Forward Engineer Support Team – Advance (FEST-A) visited Colón to assess the city’s stormwater and wastewater system issues. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that this initiative is a partnership between the United States and Panama.
The USACE team and local government officials in Panama toured vital facilities, including stormwater pump stations, which are essential for reducing flood risk in the city. The assessment focused on the structural integrity of the pump stations, the maintenance schedule and condition of the existing pumps, and the state of the trash racks, which separate debris from stormwater before it is pumped out of the city.
The team also examined several areas in Colón that frequently experience flooding due to sedimentation issues. One area is currently flooded with wastewater, highlighting the urgent need to address a problem caused by a combination of sand from beaches, trash from both the town and the ocean, and complications associated with aging rain and sewage lines.
Panamanian government officials expressed their gratitude for the involvement of the U.S. team and emphasized their need for U.S. support and expertise in resolving their sanitary and stormwater infrastructure challenges.
“We had a unique opportunity today to gain a better understanding of the challenges encountered by the city of Colón with their stormwater and wastewater system,” said Lt. Col. Brian Molloy, commander of FEST-A. Adding that “This understanding will help the United States expand our partnerships with the government of Panama as we find ways to continue to work together” (Elmore, 2025).
Sources:
Elmore, J. (2025, May 15). U.S. Engineering Team Assesses Colón, Panama’s Infrastructure Challenges, Strengthening Bilateral Partnership. USACE. Retrieved from https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/News-Release-Article-View/Article/4186971/us-engineering-team-assesses-coln-panamas-infrastructure-challenges-strengtheni/
Davis, R. (2022, November 22). Panama – Deadly Landslide in Colón, Floods Damage Homes in Los Santos and Herrera. Floodlist. Retrieved from https://floodlist.com/america/panama-floods-landslides-november-2022
Combined Sewer Overflow Basics. (2024, September 16). EPA. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/npdes/combined-sewer-overflow-basics
Gresser, E. (2024, July 10). Trade Fact of the Week: Panama Canal worker mortality down 99.9% from the 1906-1914 project to the 2006-2016 expansion. PPI. Retrieved from https://www.progressivepolicy.org/trade-fact-of-the-week-panama-canal-worker-mortality-down-99-9-from-the-1906-1914-project-to-the-2006-2016-expansion/
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