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Drought area at the Paso-Severino reservoir in Canelones in Uruguay

Photo: Gaston Britos / EPA

More than half of the 3.5 million people living in Uruguay currently have no access to uncontaminated drinking water. The capital Montevideo and the surrounding area are particularly affected.

The crisis could last for months. Years ago, experts had warned of an imminent water shortage, which was dismissed in many places as scaremongering. Three consecutive years of drought have then depleted the fresh water reservoirs. On satellite images from Nasa, the extent of the drought is clearly visible.

In order to cushion the shortage, the state water supplier OSE had started at the beginning of the year to add brackish water from the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. At the beginning of May, the water mix had reached the maximum sodium and chloride levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the meantime, the proportions of brackish water have doubled, which not only negatively affects the smell and taste, but also raises questions about possible damage to health. However, the authorities emphasize that there is currently no such risk.

However, the Ministry of Health warned chronically ill people who have to live low in salt against consuming the water. If possible, you should resort to bottled mineral water. This also applies to the preparation of baby food, it said. The government has exempted bottled water from the tax and announced that it will provide free water to more than 500,000 people.

The British »Guardian« cites a survey from May according to which half of those affected by the water crisis have already reduced their personal consumption. According to the study, 35 percent of consumers no longer drink water from the tap at all.

Industrial overexploitation of water

Many Uruguayans criticize the center-right government of President Luis Lacalle Pou for its failure in the water crisis. She had waited too long for autumn rains instead of taking action. But even the previous governments had not adequately invested in water infrastructure.

Experts from the United Nations (UN) now urged Uruguay to "give priority to the use of fresh water for human consumption" in the current emergency situation. People are worried about people who cannot afford to buy water, as well as those with disabilities or reduced mobility who cannot carry water.

According to the UN, "while the high salinity is attributed to the failure of water infrastructure, exacerbated by unusually long periods of water stress, the real problem is the overexploitation of water, especially by some industries in the country."

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