In the midst of the water emergency established here due to the persistent drought, the San Severino dam stores only 2,179,283 cubic meters of water, out of a capacity of 70 million.

The lack of rainfall is causing the flow to continue to fall. On Friday it was at 2,401,596 million cubic meters and on Thursday at 2,616,725 million cubic meters, all historic lows, according to the dispatch.

In view of the need for the company Obras Sanitarias del Estado (OSE) to maintain the supply of tap water and resort, to other saltier sources, the Ministry of Public Health approved increasing the sodium values of the vital liquid by 420 milligrams per liter.

Chloride levels were increased by 720 milligrams per liter for the water distributed through the pipes to Montevideo and the metropolitan area.

This water is not potable, but drinkable, according to the government.

The Ministry of Health recommended pregnant women and people with various chronic diseases to refrain from consuming OSE water and instead, to buy bottled water.

The authorities decided to exempt this product from taxes, which will be implemented on Monday in most stores.

jrr/arm/oda/oo