The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) urged pregnant women, infants and cardiovascular patients to avoid drinking the water provided by the state-owned company Obras Sanitarias del Estado (OSE).

The advice was followed by OSE’s decision to supply the city from sources further down the dwindling Santa Lucia River due to the persistent drought, which raised the salinity level and changed the taste of the vital liquid.

The MSP stated that the measure will be “limited in time”.

Meanwhile, it recommended that people with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, cirrhosis and pregnant women to “avoid drinking OSE water as much as possible”.

“In case of having to take it, it is suggested not to exceed one liter of water per day and increase the frequency of blood pressure controls,” a ministerial statement said.

For the general population, without a diagnosis of arterial hypertension, the MSP urged to maintain “the usual daily water consumption, which can be entirely OSE water.”

It also urged not to add salt to food for infants up to two years of age.

Meanwhile, for the preparation of infant formulas, the warning suggests to use mineral water if possible.

“In population with higher risk of being hypertensive not known (over 60 years), periodic blood pressure controls are recommended,” adds the statement which concludes that people who use antihypertensive and diuretic drugs “may continue to consume OSE water up to one liter per day, and complete their natural intake with mineral water.

jrr/jav/mem/ool