The capital is drilling wells everywhere, and this country is facing the most severe drought in over 70 years! Bottled water sales surged by $224%. Statistics available | Capital | Drought
Uruguay, a South American country, is currently experiencing the most severe drought in over 70 years. Due to dry water sources, several regions, including the Uruguayan capital, are facing severe drinking water shortages.
Uruguay has a population of approximately 3.5 million, of which approximately 1.8 million reside in the capital city of Montevideo. The main sources of water for the city's residents and agriculture come from two reservoirs: the Cannelon Reservoir and the Paso Severino Reservoir. However, due to persistent drought, both reservoirs are currently almost dry, with cracked land visible everywhere.
![The capital is drilling wells everywhere, and this country is facing the most severe drought in over 70 years! Bottled water sales surged by $224%. Statistics available | Capital | Drought](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/9b6bcc5f10e025f0f34f26c80cbad4bf.jpg)
SANCHEZ, RESIDENTS NEAR THE SEVERINO RESERVOIR, PASO, URUGUAY: The disaster has been felt by people looking at the dried-up lakebed and the reappearing stone bridge, which has been under water for many years and is now like a crumbling skeleton.
In order to supplement the water source, the local water department had to use water from some rivers, resulting in high salt content in tap water. Many people were unable to drink it and had to purchase bottled water. In Montevideo, a bottle of 6.25-liter bottled water is currently priced at approximately $3.4. According to statistics, the sales volume of bottled water in Montevideo increased by 224% year-on-year in May.
![The capital is drilling wells everywhere, and this country is facing the most severe drought in over 70 years! Bottled water sales surged by $224%. Statistics available | Capital | Drought](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/81215c959fba070d5848a0d1e527daea.jpg)
Under the water shortage crisis, some Uruguayans have held multiple protests in Montevideo. Earlier in June, the Uruguayan government announced a tax exemption policy for mineral water and soda water sold in Montevideo and its surrounding areas. In addition, Montevideo, a city that traditionally relied on surface water, is currently drilling wells everywhere in hopes of helping alleviate the crisis by extracting groundwater.