In Uruguay’s capital Montevideo, the water reserves are estimated to last only a few more days. In the Paso Severino reservoir, which supplies more than half the country with drinking water, the water level is down to 5 percent of the total capacity.
The hot weather and lack of rain has led to the government now being forced to take drastic measures.
They have now changed the health requirements and now allow higher levels of chlorine and sodium in the drinking water. The permitted amount of sodium in drinking water is now 50 percent higher than what the World Health Organization WHO recommends, reports Washington Post.
More salt water in the tap
The water shortage is the worst in 74 years, the authorities say according to Reuters. To tackle the shortage, they have started taking water from the Río de la Plata delta area, where fresh water from the Uruguay River and the Praná River meet the salt water in the Atlantic.
The increased amount of salt poses a health risk to citizens who are sensitive. Some can even get bottled water, which is now in short supply, on prescription.
– For people who suffer from high blood pressure, kidney disease or have a salt-restricted diet, it is recommended to check their blood pressure, not to ignore their medical check-ups and drink bottled water if possible, says Uruguay’s Minister of Public Health Karina Rando.
It has rained – but not enough
Although there was some rain last week and more to come later this week, it is far from enough.
According to the state water company Obras Sanitarias del Estado, it needs to rain at least 50 millimeters a day throughout June for reservoir levels to begin to recover.