Calay News
During a press conference held on Monday to address the water deficit in Uruguay, President Luis Lacalle Pou announced the declaration of a water emergency for Montevideo and the metropolitan area. According to the president, this measure will provide the government with the necessary administrative tools to implement actions to combat the current situation.
One of the measures announced is the exoneration of taxes on bottled water through a decree, in the hope that this will contribute to reducing its price. Lacalle Pou also assured that the water supply is guaranteed in hospitals, nursing homes, and Child and Family Care Centers. In addition, the free delivery of two liters of water per day will be extended to approximately 21,000 beneficiaries of the Uruguayan Ministry of Social Development.
As for long-term solutions, it was reported that work will begin on the construction of a reservoir on the San José River and its piping system. This infrastructure will provide an alternative water source to guarantee supply and is expected to be ready in 30 days.
On the other hand, the president mentioned that the technicians of the Ministry of Public Health are evaluating the possibility of increasing the levels of sodium in the drinking water, considering a forecast that does not predict rain in the next few days.
The prolonged drought and the drastic decrease in water reserves have led Uruguayan authorities to resort to the estuary of the Rio de la Plata to mix their water with the little that remains in storage. This situation has prompted urgent measures to address the water crisis in the South American country.
