The Municipality of Montevideo (MI) reported that they have already received some 369 complaints for water losses in the pipe network SBI. In turn, the mayor Caroline Cosse assured that 157 people made water wells available to alleviate the consequences of the drought and that the IM plans a visit soon to analyze them.
In the context of the climate emergency, the Departmental Emergency Coordination Center (cecoed) met in extraordinary session to analyze the current situation of water deficit, in addition to addressing the problem of the spread of chikungunya and dengue.
The meeting was held in the Agreements room of the headquarters building, this Thursday, May 18, and included the participation of municipal authorities, as well as the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior. The objective of the meeting was to establish an exchange around the 20 measures for the water crisis that were presented in recent days by Cosse.
How to report a loss of water on public roads?
The departmental government enabled the WhatsApp 092 250 260 so that citizens report water losses on public roads, and thus collaborate with OSE in locating said points. The Municipality performs a georeferencing of the ruptures and the information is sent to OSE every 24 hours.
Well water sampling
The IM also announced the start of work on Sampling and analysis of the quality of the water found in the wells made available by the citizensThrough the WhatsApp 092 250 260.
So far, the total sampling corresponds to ten wells located in different neighborhoods. These analyzes are added to those already carried out in three wells belonging to the Intendancy, located at the CAP point, the Montevideo Agricultural Marketand the Tresor plant.
According to the Director of Cleaning, Ignatius Lawrence, the study parameters make it possible to measure the physicochemical (sodium and chlorine) and microbiological characteristics of the water. All of this collected information is sent to OSE.
Regarding the results, “in most, the parameters are aligned with potability standardssome of them differ in some parameter, but this will be analyzed by OSE and considered for a subsequent purification refining or to determine its use,” Lorenzo said.
Currently, tap water samples are taken at 15 departmental polyclinics about three times a week to determine a quality analysis based on four parameters: chlorine, conductivity, sodium, and total solids. The results are published every 48 hours in the Mayor’s website. Until now, some 73 samples.
Bottled water distribution
From May 12, water drums are distributedto those who established population groups can access by prescription in the 23 polyclinics of the Intendancy.
It is a total of 4,000 drums of 6.25 liters eachof which about 2,000 correspond to a donation made by the logistics company Malaticand another 2,000 were provided by IM itself.
Distribution to animal shelter
At the same time, the water supply for animal shelters was contemplated. On Friday, May 19, the first delivery of drums and tubs to one of these centers will take place.
Source: Ambito
