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Wednesday 2 april 2025 locAl
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Quenching thirst in Aruba Episode CCXCVII -297

Our narratives have long emphasized the vital bal-
ance needed in all that we do, especially on a small
island like Aruba. For generations, we thrived with a
laid-back colonial existence, shaped by a unique
blend of cultures. However, the neglect of our cultural
heritage and the growing threats to our biodiversity
has reached critical levels.

This platform is dedicated to preserving and rediscov-
ering native traditions, while exploring the true spirit
of what it means to be Aruban and reflecting on our
history and identity.
During this episode, we provide a brief historical over-
view of the evolution of drinking water in Aruba, high-
lighting its importance as a basic necessity for the
establishment of human populations. Therefore, it is
no surprise that, in arid regions like ours, people have
sought ways to desalinate brackish or seawater to
produce drinking water for centuries.

Before the establishment of the current seawater de-
salination plant, the native population relied on col-
lected rainwater for drinking. They had limited access
to natural fresh water, finding it in a few places such as
caves where water leaked from stalagmites, springs water was used for horticulture and sumption and domestic use. At that
like Loran, also known as Pos di Rey, located on top later by a group of Chinese families time, peeled cactus plants were used
of a hill near Shette, and under rocks at Paraboste, who grew vegetables. However, the as a natural coagulant or filter for mud-
among others. stream’s flow has been hampered dy water.
Rainfall in Aruba typically occurs from August to Feb- due to excessive dynamiting of nearby When Petroleum refining company
ruary during the rainy season, but most of this rainwa- limestone quarries for commercial ex- was established on the island, a solu-
ter quickly flows to the sea through dry riverbeds. In traction. tion was needed for both drinking and
some areas, natives dug dams and irrigation chan- Wells of varying depths were dug industrial water supplies. Initially, it was
nels, which were covered by vegetation such as Kwi- by hand using chisels and ham- decided to import drinking water from
hi and other trees to prevent evaporation, like those mers throughout the island to access the United States using special tankers.
at Tanki Flip. During the early colonial era, rainwater groundwater. Due to the dissolution of However, this system proved inade-
was also collected from the surface for use in homes minerals and calcium carbonates in quate. As a result, a new water supply
and small-scale livestock farming. some of these wells, the extracted wa- system was implemented for Oranjes-
ter has a certain level of salinity and is tad and St. Nicholas, distributing dis-
While surface water can be abundant during the known as ‘brackish water.’ tilled and mineralized water—a system
rainy season, it quickly dries up in the dry season, Water from the well was extracted that had already proven successful in
becoming scarce due to evaporation and absorp- manually using a wooden bucket tied Curaçao. (Episode 216:Drinking water
tion by the porous layers of the soil. Rainwater that to a rope. Later, windmills with wooden in Aruba)q
filters through these layers accumulates in aquifers or metal frames were installed to pump
and underground channels, forming what are known water to the surface. Meanwhile, the
as underground rivers. On Aruba’s northeast coast, island’s early inhabitants, the Caquetio
a small stream called Fontein flows year-round with Amerindians, established their villages If you really enjoyed reading our sto-
crystal-clear water, in contrast to ephemeral streams in areas where water and food were ries and are interested in interacting
that only flow after heavy rains. Historically, Fontein’s available. They would dig small holes and learning more about our island’s
true identity, there is no better choice
near beaches to access naturally fil- than Etnia Nativa—the only ‘living mu-
tered seawater for drinking, a practice seum of its kind in the Caribbean.’ It’s
that became an art. a fascinating opportunity, a trendset-
With low rainfall, scarce natural fresh- ter since 1994, and a co-founder of
water sources, and limited groundwa- Islands National Park, the Archaeo-
ter reserves, Aruba faced a significant logical Museum Aruba, and numerous
water shortage for the gold industry fol- Artisan Foundations, among others. Et-
lowing the establishment of the Gold nia Nativa shares valuable knowledge
Mining Company in 1899. This shortage and connects you with the ancient
led to the decision to build a melting spirit and soul of the island. We recom-
plant in Balashi and desalinate seawa- mend booking a visit via WhatsApp
ter from the nearby Spanish Lagoon. +297 592 2702, as visits are private and
During the colonial era, houses were by appointment only. You can also
built with cisterns to efficiently store reach us at etnianativa03@gmail.com
rainwater, improving its quality for con-