The Executive Branch committed to stabilizing the reserve system in Paso Severino and guaranteeing the current quality of supply.
The Secretary of the Presidency, Alvaro Delgado, announced at a press conference a package of government measures aimed at guaranteeing the availability of running water in the metropolitan area. From the Executive Power they promised to stabilize the water system in the Paso Severino dam (Florida), to ensure the supply of water, at least, “in current quality”.
Delgado indicated that the current situation of water emergency is taking place in the metropolitan area of cannelloni and Montevideoand “not in the rest of the country“. The Secretary of State insisted that the water supply will be guaranteed “until the rains come to change the contingency“.
One by one, all the government measures to guarantee drinking water
- Construction of a dam in Paso Severino: a dam will be built next week that will seek to stabilize the water reserves in Paso Severino, in order to avoid taking new measures, such as increasing salinity in the water, which have a negative impact on its quality.
- Agreement with OSE and the Congress of Mayors to repair losses: The Congress of Mayors agreed to an agreement with OSE to promptly repair any loss of water presented by the pipe networks in the different departments of the country.
- Guaranteed basic supply: the Executive Power reaffirmed its commitment to guarantee the basic supply of running water for cooking, consumption, hygiene, and sanitation.
- Monitoring Bottled Water Prices: The presidential official said that the government will be “monitoring the prices of bottled water” so that they remain within the usual range due to the increase in demand. In turn, he added that the government is testing the importation of water “if necessary.”
- Purchase of a desalination plant designed by UTEC: In an attempt to improve water quality, the government decided to purchase a desalination plant designed by the Technological University of Uruguay (UTEC), which “will surely be operational as of next week.”
- Use of a UTE plant for water distribution: in line with the purchase of the desalination plant designed by UTEC, the Punta del Tigre plant, owned by UTE, will begin to be used, which is “reverse osmosis” and “will be available for water distribution” .
- Enabling of the OSE bagging plant: the OSE bagging plant for sachets of water was enabled, which will be supplied “from those areas or water treatment plants that were made during this period of government”, such as Balneario Argentino, Kiyú, La Floresta, or Pan de Azúcar.
- Mides vouchers for two liters of water: The Ministry of Social Development (Mides) seeks to guarantee a voucher for two liters of water for those who participate in a Mides program for chronic patients, children under two years of age, and pregnant women enrolled in the Equity Plan.
- Distribution of bottled water in the CAIF and INAU centers: The government has provided bottled water to the CAIF and INAU centers throughout the country, in turn, “ANEP is doing it with the 477 schools” in the area, Delgado commented.
The presidential official added that “half of the city of Minas already has guaranteed supply” and the other half will be insured from “a runoff system”. Mines and the entire department of lavalleja in general it has been one of the areas hardest hit by the drought.
“Fundamental measures could have been made 15 years ago so that this does not happen again“, shot Delgado in reference to the three previous governments of the broad frontand said that the current administration is working “so that this situation never occurs again in Uruguay“From the tender of the Arazati projectwhich will be given on June 6.
Source: Ambito
