The Uruguayan government announced that a dam would be built next week to maintain drinking water supplies in the capital and surrounding areas, where predictions of an imminent depletion of reserves due to drought have alerted the population.
Presidency Secretary Álvaro Delgado told a press conference Tuesday (16) that the country is experiencing “the worst water shortage since records began 74 years ago.”
After the meeting at the headquarters of the Presidency, the executive decided on a series of new measures.
“The first measure is to ensure the stability of the water reserve.”
“Next week, a dam will be built to ensure the stability of the Paso Severino Water Reserve, which will maintain the status and quality of water we have today.”
Asked if, with this new source, the water supplied by the Administración Nacional de las Obras Sanitarias del Estado (OSE) will return to its normal level, the official replied that this is not the case, since the guaranteed water, like the current one, will have the higher salinity approved days ago by the Ministry of Health (MSP).
On the other hand, Delgado pointed out that the government is “implementing and leaving operational” the possibility of importing water when necessary and said that the price of bottled water is also being monitored due to the high demand.
Although the minister stressed that the situation is critical only in Montevideo and its surroundings, he pointed out that the government is committed to “responsible use of water” because “the campaign for the common good and the responsibility of citizens have already contributed to a saving of 10% of consumption.”
“The water supply will be maintained in the current conditions for the entire population until the rains arrive to change the situation. That seems to me the most important thing today,” he concluded.
Last Tuesday, the MSP, in collaboration with medical chairs, called for “refraining from adding salt to food” because of the increased sodium content in water.
In a list, the ministry gave recommendations for the general population, people taking antihypertensive and diuretic medications, pregnant women, and people with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, or cirrhosis.
While emphasizing that Sdas water is safe to drink, the ministry warned the aforementioned at-risk groups “not to exceed one liter per day” and to measure their blood pressure regularly.
News Uruguay, English news Uruguay, Uruguayan water crisis