🚰 Utilities · Water
IDAAN
National Water and Sewer Institute: the public utility for drinking water and sewerage in Panama City. It serves all 11 Panama City areas in our guide and also David (Chiriquí) and La Villa de Los Santos (Azuero), with a different rate.
Requirements to sign up · checked on 27 Oct 2026
Owner
- Copy of the deed or an up-to-date Public Registry certificate (with registration data, area, boundaries and owner)
- Copy of the owner's ID card or passport
- New property: letter from the developer with the owner's name and ID/passport, full address, building, apartment and property (finca) number
Tenant
- The owner applies. If someone else does it, they need an authorization letter signed by the owner and copies of both IDs
- In many condo buildings water is included in the HOA fee (one meter for the building): ask the building management before applying
Foreigner (passport, lease, residence card)
- IDAAN accepts the foreign owner's passport (the developer's letter includes the passport number)
Deposit and connection cost
- Deposit / guarantee
- Ask the provider (not published on its website)
- Connection / installation
- Meter and installation costs are set by IDAAN and approved by ASEP (Res. AN 18168-Agua of 2023); the amount is not published on its website: ask IDAAN.
Official rates
- Minimum charge of 30 m³ a month in Panama City and Colón: B/. 6.40 water + B/. 1.52 sewer = B/. 7.92
- Up to 38 m³: B/. 0.21 per m³ of water (B/. 9.90 in total at 38 m³)
- 42 to 60 m³: B/. 0.36/m³; 61 to 78: B/. 0.40/m³; 79 to 116: B/. 0.43/m³; 117 to 192: B/. 0.44/m³
- 10 % surcharge if the bill is not paid within 30 days
Typical monthly cost: Most households pay the minimum or a little more: B/. 7.92 up to 30 m³ and B/. 9.90 at 38 m³ (water + sewer).
| Usage | Water | Sewer | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 m³ (minimum) | B/. 6.40 | B/. 1.52 | B/. 7.92 |
| 38 m³ | B/. 8.00 | B/. 1.90 | B/. 9.90 |
| 45 m³ | B/. 10.72 | B/. 2.68 | B/. 13.40 |
| 60 m³ | B/. 16.31 | B/. 4.35 | B/. 20.66 |
| 80 m³ | B/. 25.59 | B/. 7.35 | B/. 32.94 |
Where and how to apply
At any IDAAN customer service agency ("new supply" procedure, Board Resolution 45-2015).
How to pay
Banco Nacional, Banco General, Caja de Ahorros and other banks (also via online banking), IDAAN agencies, ATMs and Rey supermarkets. In the Panamá district the bill includes the AAUD garbage fee: pay the full water + garbage amount. Need online banking? Banks for foreigners →
- Website
- idaan.gob.pa
- Phone
- 311
Areas in our guide served by IDAAN
FAQ
What documents does IDAAN ask a tenant for?
The owner applies. If someone else does it, they need an authorization letter signed by the owner and copies of both IDs. In many condo buildings water is included in the HOA fee (one meter for the building): ask the building management before applying.
Can a foreigner sign up with IDAAN?
IDAAN accepts the foreign owner's passport (the developer's letter includes the passport number).
How much does it cost to connect with IDAAN?
Meter and installation costs are set by IDAAN and approved by ASEP (Res. AN 18168-Agua of 2023); the amount is not published on its website: ask IDAAN. Ask the provider (not published on its website)
How do I pay IDAAN?
Banco Nacional, Banco General, Caja de Ahorros and other banks (also via online banking), IDAAN agencies, ATMs and Rey supermarkets. In the Panamá district the bill includes the AAUD garbage fee: pay the full water + garbage amount.
Official sources (checked on 27 Oct 2026): Panamá Digital – IDAAN, Nuevo suministro (requisitos) · ASEP – IDAAN, monto a pagar, tarifa residencial Panamá-Colón con alcantarillado · ASEP – Desglose de las tarifas del IDAAN (consumo mínimo 30 m³, B/. 0.21/m³ hasta 38 m³) · IDAAN – Centros de pago · ASEP – Res. AN 18168-Agua (costos de medidor e instalación) · La Prensa – Azuero enfrenta dos crisis de agua (restricción de consumo del grifo en Herrera y Los Santos, 20 oct 2026)
Where it says "ask", the provider does not publish that information on its website: we do not make it up. TuHogar en Panamá is not affiliated with any provider.