Although the rains improved supply prospects for the capital Lavalleja, the state company shored up reserves pending further rainfall.
Despite the rains, the departments most affected by the extreme drought that affects Uruguay they still require help for the supply of drinking water, with a few days of reserves ahead. Such is the case of mines that, although it improved its forecasts in a few days, it received the trucks of State Sanitary Works (OSE).
The rains brought some relief to the capital of the department of Lavalleja, as long as they managed to accumulate 26 centimeters in the reservoirs of the dam Maggiolo, over the river San Franciscowhich, due to the water deficit, was at less than 10% of its capacity, putting the drinking water reserves in the city, which it had just for March, in a critical state.
Beyond this, OSE began today the operation to shore up the supply through potable water trucks that arrived in Minas from Maldonado. Likewise, the state company highlighted the responsibility of the neighbors of the city that have avoided using the supply for non-essential actions, and have not had to deliver sanctions in the area.
In addition, OSE is working on the plumbing which, due to age and wear, presented losses that could put the already critical reserves at risk.
In the area, 30 millimeters of rain fell in the last hours and it is expected that the favorable forecasts in water terms will come true.
Normal pressure for Montevideo
The directory of SBI decided not to change the potable water pressure in Montevideo for the moment after the rainfall of the last two days collaborated to improve the reserves that it has to supply the metropolitan area.
OSE President, Raul Monterohad anticipated Thursday that “in Montevideo they are studying it. It is a more difficult network to manage. In small places, in many small places it is already being done.”
The alternative of lowering the pressure of drinking water “it makes people spend less”explained the head of OSE, who assured that the company must “make sure that everyone has water.”
Precisely, in Montevideo the law has been in force since February ban on non-priority use of drinking water, with sanctions included in case of non-compliance. Regarding this, Montero ratified: “Everything that was implemented is maintained. We have not solved the issue. We have to see how it evolves, how it continues“.
Source: Ambito
