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What Happens When a City Runs Out of Water?

Imagine waking up, turning on your kitchen tap, and not trusting the water that comes out. That’s exactly what happened to thousands of people in Montevideo during the 2023 water crisis. The city, home to over a million people, came dangerously close to running out of safe drinking water. What led to this emergency, and what can we learn from it?

Due to severe drought and poor water management, the freshwater levels in Montevideo’s main reservoirs dropped to historic lows. As the situation grew worse, the government made a drastic decision: to start mixing seawater with the remaining freshwater supply. This was done to make the water last longer, but it caused a lot of concern.

Adding seawater meant the tap water became salty, with high levels of sodium and chloride. For most people, it just tasted bad. But for those with health problems, especially kidney issues or high blood pressure, the water became dangerous. Doctors advised people in risk groups to avoid drinking it entirely.

The crisis also hit people’s wallets. Bottled water became more expensive — and harder to find. Low-income families were especially affected. Some hospitals had to bring in private water deliveries for patients to stay safe. The lack of planning and slow response from the government caused many citizens to lose trust in their leaders.

📊 Did You Know?

This was the first time in history that Uruguay mixed seawater into the public supply.Some citizens had to collect rainwater or buy it from trucks just to cook or clean.Over 75% of the population in Montevideo was affected in some way.

🔎 Take Action: Learn About Water Safety

You can protect yourself and your community by learning how to purify water at home:

Research and share information about water filters and boiling methods.Create a poster campaign at school about how to stay safe during a water emergency.Talk to your family about what to do in case of future water shortages.

📢 Next Week: “The Impact on Communities”

Find out how this crisis is affecting farmers, schools, hospitals, and everyday families across the country.