Montevideo’s freshwater reserves rise in times of drought

Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital city, is experiencing a severe water crisis due to a prolonged drought, significantly decreasing the main freshwater reserve for drinking water.

However, there is some positive news: the Paso Severino reservoir, located in the southern department of Florida, has seen an increase in its water levels for the fifth consecutive day.

According to the latest report from the Uruguayan Presidency, the water levels at Paso Severino have risen from 1,565,255 cubic meters to 1,886,456 cubic meters, providing a total capacity of 70 million cubic meters.

This increase brings hope to the region, which heavily relies on this reservoir to supply water to Montevideo and the metropolitan area, serving around half of the population.

The state-owned company OSE has adjusted the sodium and chloride levels in the water distributed through pipes to address the water scarcity issue.

The government assures the public that the water is still drinkable, although the demand for bottled water has surged as a precautionary measure.

The drought affecting Uruguay has been described as unprecedented, with the Uruguayan Meteorological Institute (Inumet) stating that it is the worst in over a century.

President Luis Lacalle Pou recently expressed concerns that if rain does not arrive soon, there may be a period when the water becomes undrinkable.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the national government declared a “water emergency” for Montevideo and the metropolitan area on June 19.

As part of the measures, the government has implemented a tax exemption for bottled water, which has experienced a significant increase in sales.

The recent increase in water levels at the Paso Severino reservoir provides a glimmer of hope for Montevideo’s water supply.

However, it is crucial for sustained rainfall to alleviate the ongoing drought and ensure the availability of safe drinking water for the population.