Uruguay is facing its worst water shortage in 74 years. Photo: breakinglatest.news
Uruguay is facing its worst water shortage in 74 years, affecting thousands of households and deteriorating water quality, officials said. A school in Montevideo had to close early due to a lack of drinking water for students.
The state water company Obras Sanitarias del Estado (OSE) said the water level at the Paso Severino reservoir, which supplies drinking water to more than half of Uruguay's 3.5 million people, is at a historic low, at around 10% of its capacity. Latest data shows the reservoir now has around 6.2 million cubic metres of water, far less than the monthly average of 60 million cubic metres. The capital Montevideo needs around 650,000 cubic metres of water a day.
Although there has been rain in recent days and more rain is forecast for this weekend, the low rainfall is unlikely to change the situation, according to OSE. Meteorologists say 50mm of rain per day until June is needed to start restoring water levels in the reservoir.
Due to the depletion of the main reservoir in Uruguay, OSE had to use additional water supply from the Plate estuary at the end of April, causing abnormally high levels of sodium and chlorine in the water. The water shortage has angered residents, who plan to protest in the capital Montevideo on May 24.
Federico Kreimerman, president of the OSE union, said low rainfall, poor management of water supplies and lack of state investment were the reasons for the current water shortage in Uruguay. According to him, in addition to water for domestic use, irrigation water is also needed for agriculture , livestock and forestry.
The Uruguayan president's office said the government is evaluating measures, including adding a new reservoir to reduce the salinity of drinking water.
Low rainfall and high temperatures across southern South America last year also caused severe drought, affecting crops in grain-producing Argentina and causing heavy damage to farms.
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