Colombian showers are undoubtedly the hottest in the world. For now, it is not the habits of a population that does not hesitate to run the water heater more than necessary which explains the ambient heat in the bathrooms, but the unusual recommendations of the mayor of Bogotá, the capital.
“Shower as a couple”, this is what Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán recommends to residents of a metropolis hard hit by drought. Far from being a fadthis idea aims to preserve the currently dangerously low water levels in the reservoirs.
Bogotá mayor asks couples to shower together to save water
This week, the main districts of the Colombian capital were cut off from the water distribution network in turn. In question, the El Niño weather phenomenon. This leads to a drop in precipitation in South America. This year, the country's reservoirs having particularly suffered from droughts, the mayor of Bogotá decided to promote this “water saving education exercise. » “Things like this will help us a lot. These behavioral changes are essential”he said in a press release taken up by the Guardian.
Besides, it is not the only one common interest effort that the councilor asked the residents. “If you don’t leave the house on Sunday or any other day of the week, take advantage of it and don’t take a shower”he added.
photo credit: Shutterstock Bogota, Colombia
Ten million people rely on almost dry water supplies
Bogotá averages 1,020 mm of rainfall per year, almost twice as much as London, but concentrated over a short period. Also, it is essential, according to Carlos Fernando Galán, that Bogotá men and women renounce usually daily hygiene practices. Note, more than ten million people depend on water reserves now at a critical level.
The Chingaza site, which supplies 70% of the capital's water, is only 16% full, its lowest level ever recorded. To deal with this crisis, the municipality divided Bogotá into nine zones. Each one is cut off from the water network for 24 hours in turn.
Latin America lacks water
“Let’s not waste a drop of water in Bogotá right now”, implores Carlos Fernando Galán. For the moment, the authorities cannot give any end date to these exceptional measures. The mayor reminds residents that it is only by respecting them to the letter that a return to normal can be envisaged.
@journalsudouest In the latest bulletin from the WMO (world meteorological organization), scientists estimate between 70 and 80% the probability that an El Niño episode will begin between July and October 2023. We explain to you what this climatic phenomenon consists of and why it risks having devastating impacts on our planet. #globalwarming #climatewarming #scientific #weather #climate #elnino #pacific #decrypted #environment #planet #fire #news #news #southwest ♬ original sound – Sud Ouest
Furthermore, other major cities in Latin America suffer from drought. The authorities of Mexico City (more than 125 million inhabitants) notably rationed the water supply last month. In Guatemala, where forests have been burning for a week, a state of emergency has been declared.