Due to the situation that the country is suffering after three years of persistent drought, various industries have reported problems in their technological processes, as a result of the high levels of chloride and sodium present in the water distributed by the Obras Sanitarias del Estado (State Sanitary Works, OSE) public company.

The drought, which affected agricultural producers first, significantly decreased the storage of the reservoirs that serve as a source for OSE, particularly supplying Montevideo, Canelones and the metropolitan area, where around two million inhabitants live and who receive brackish water from the tap in their homes.

This is happening because OSE is mixing the water from the dwindling San Severino reservoir with that of the Río de la Plata, so as to avoid cuts and maintain the current supply.

The mixture is causing breaks in the water heaters, whether electric or gas.

Requests for technical services have multiplied in the last two months, much needed these days when Uruguay is undergoing a wave of polar cold.

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