Earth Science News
WATER WORLD
Uruguay declares end to water crisis
Uruguay declares end to water crisis
by AFP Staff Writers
Montevideo (AFP) Aug 23, 2023

Uruguay's government on Wednesday declared an end to a water crisis in the capital and surrounding areas, after a record drought pushed the country's potable water supply to the brink.

The government imposed emergency measures in June as freshwater reservoirs dried up in the country's worst water shortage since records began seven decades ago.

The crisis highlighted increasing episodes of water stress facing cities, as climate change increases the severity and incidence of droughts around the world.

President Luis Lacalle Pou said that recent rainfall had improved the supply of water to Montevideo, home to 1.8 million people -- more than half of the tiny country's population.

He told journalists the current quality and supply of water was "very good."

State water company OSE in April began mixing brackish water from the Rio de Plata estuary into the drinking supply as the Paso Severino freshwater reservoir for the area hovered at one percent of capacity.

Residents of the capital and surrounding areas -- typically used to drinking good quality tap water -- turned en masse to bottled water for drinking and some cooking.

In May, the government started progressively increasing the levels of sodium and chloride allowed in drinking water.

Also higher were levels of trihalomethanes -- chemical compounds that form when water is disinfected with chlorine, which can be harmful if consumed over decades.

The government said the tap water was safe, but had advised pregnant women and sick people not to drink it.

According to the latest official data on August 22, after a few heavy downpours, the Paso Severino reservoir had recovered with more than half its 67 million cubic meter capacity reached.

Sodium and chloride levels had also returned to legally permitted limits.

An emergency decree issued in June allowed the government to finance two liters of mineral water a day for more than 500,000 people, and exempt bottled water from taxes.

It also allowed for the construction of a new dam and pipes to transfer water from one river to another.

The president estimated spending of "close to 70 million dollars" to alleviate the crisis.

Related Links
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WATER WORLD
Greenpeace slams Poland's new river protection law
Warsaw (AFP) Aug 18, 2023
Environmentalists on Friday slammed the passing of a controversial law in Poland on the revitalisation of the Oder river, which was hit by toxic algae growth last year that caused mass fish deaths. A toxic algae bloom hit the river on the Polish border with Germany last summer, with at least 300 tonnes of dead fish pulled from the water as tensions spiked between the two countries. In response to the environmental disaster, Warsaw passed a new law Thursday evening which includes provision for ne ... read more

WATER WORLD
Eight dead after Moscow sewer floods during tour

Fukushima's water release: what we know

700 Syrians caught trying to enter Lebanon in a week: army

Japan to start releasing Fukushima water on Thursday

WATER WORLD
MIT engineers use kirigami to make ultrastrong, lightweight structures

China's new rules on AI-generated content

Taiwan's antique jade dealers see trade losing lustre

Invisible tagging system enhances 3D object tracking

WATER WORLD
Uruguay declares end to water crisis

China's sushi fans flounder over Fukushima water release

Parched Egypt struggles to contain water loss

Greenpeace slams Poland's new river protection law

WATER WORLD
Mountaineers urged to delay Mont Blanc climbs amid Alps heatwave

UC Irvine scientists say deepening Arctic snowpack drives greenhouse gas emissions

Hot spell pushes 'zero-degree' line to record height in Switzerland

Could artificially dimming the sun prevent ice melt

WATER WORLD
French grape-pickers wilt as 'heat dome' temperatures top 40C

High heat can serve up food insecurity within days

New UCF project examines key role soils play in keeping the planet cool

Hong Kong to curb some Japan food imports over Fukushima water release

WATER WORLD
California cleans up after record rainfall from Hilary

Around 100,000 people evacuated due to floods in Pakistan

North Korea's Kim slams 'irresponsible' premier over flood damage

Listening to nanoscale earthquakes

WATER WORLD
African Union suspends Niger over coup as 12 troops die in new attack

China says Xi to pay state visit to S. Africa, attend BRICS summit next week

ECOWAS to finalize Niger deployment plans this week

Niger scraps jail sentence for head of group supporting military

WATER WORLD
Just 5000 steps can save your life

A climate-orchestrated early human love story

Indigenous groups call for bold steps at Amazon summit

Workers less productiv, make more typos in afternoon and especially on Fridays

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.