April 9th, 2009 in Breaking News
Taps off for two million in water-starved Mexico City.
Some two million residents of Mexico City on Thursday began 36 hours without water under an emergency plan over Easter vacation to respond to a record drop in water supply and to work on repairs.
The cuts, in the giant city of some 20 million that once sat on lakes, coincide with Semana Santa, Mexico’s second most important holiday season when many leave the city.
They are part of a five-month emergency rationing plan announced in January, and include repairs to stop massive leaks in the distribution network of one of the main water supply systems.
The Cutzamala supply system is at 47 percent capacity, its lowest ever level, due to low rainfall in 2008 and serious leaks, according to national water commission Conagua.
“Losses from leaks are greater than the total resources supplied through this system,” Conagua’s website said.
The city’s government said it would provide 500 trucks with water tanks and purified water containers in areas worst hit by the cuts, where many residents rushed to store water this week.
Supplies were due to begin flowing again late Friday and to return to normal next Wednesday.
Source:
Taps off for two million in water-starved Mexico City
Taps off for two million in water-starved Mexico City.
Some two million residents of Mexico City on Thursday began 36 hours without water under an emergency plan over Easter vacation to respond to a record drop in water supply and to work on repairs.
The cuts, in the giant city of some 20 million that once sat on lakes, coincide with Semana Santa, Mexico’s second most important holiday season when many leave the city.
They are part of a five-month emergency rationing plan announced in January, and include repairs to stop massive leaks in the distribution network of one of the main water supply systems.
The Cutzamala supply system is at 47 percent capacity, its lowest ever level, due to low rainfall in 2008 and serious leaks, according to national water commission Conagua.
“Losses from leaks are greater than the total resources supplied through this system,” Conagua’s website said.
The city’s government said it would provide 500 trucks with water tanks and purified water containers in areas worst hit by the cuts, where many residents rushed to store water this week.
Supplies were due to begin flowing again late Friday and to return to normal next Wednesday.
Source:
Taps off for two million in water-starved Mexico City