San Salvador faces six days without tap water
Date: 11-Sep-01
Country: EL SALVADOR
National water utility ANDA said the potable water service will be suspended or reduced in San Salvador and more than a dozen surrounding municipalities for six days beginning on Sunday to allow for repairs and treatment of the water system.
The move comes amid a three-month drought that has gripped Central America during what is normally the rainy season. Crops have been devastated and some 700,000 people in the region are in danger of starving.
ANDA's announcement prompted citizens to stock up on water raised concern about the effect on schools and hospitals in the impoverished country. Authorities worried hygiene difficulties could cause health problems.
"If we don't take measures we could have epidemics," warned Oscar Ortiz, mayor of the San Salvador suburb of Santa Tecla.
One local business urged residents to buy disposable tableware to avoid washing dishes.
Education officials said 408 schools would be affected and could close during the water suspension. Officials also were concerned about water shortages at clinics and hospitals.
San Salvador officials said the capital's 13 markets, where some 10,000 vendors work, would continue to operate.
ANDA President Carlos Perla said the suspension, due to work at a plant on the Lempa River in northern El Salvador, would mean more water will become available starting in December.
While ground water is plentiful in El Salvador, experts say most of it is of poor quality because uncontrolled development has led to widespread contamination of rivers, lakes and springs.