Water Rationing in Tegucigalpa

The rationing of drinking water began in the Honduran capital yesterday, affecting a million and half people.

The severe shortage of water in Tegucigalpa’s homes is expected to last until May 2010, confirmed Jack Arevalo, manager of the National Autonomous Service of Aqueducts and Sewers, SANAA.

According to the emergency plan decreed by SANAA, the population will receive service only two to three days a week, because the water reserves in the dams supplying Tegucigalpa only meet 50 percent of the demand through May 2010.

Part of the drought has been caused by the weather phenomenon El Nino, which has caused a decline of 36 percent in water levels in the two dams in the Central District. The other serious contributor to water decline, is water leaks in underground pipes, where over 50 percent of the city supply is lost.

The City Mayor Ricardo Alvarez said yesterday that it supported the rationing of water decreed by SANAA. Alvarez said that it is reasonable to continue the delivery of water to the poorest areas. Jack Arevalo also emphasized that 12 years ago the city should have built the dam Guacerique II, as this project would have been the perfect answer to the current crisis.

Given the state of emergency in place since yesterday, fines will apply to those living in the Capital who waste the water in their homes.


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