Mate exists as more than a simple infusion. It is widely enjoyed across Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay. In Uruguay, the herb is traditionally prepared by steeping it in hot water and sipping through a metal straw called a bombilla, served in a gourd. The drink is celebrated for its energizing feel and antioxidant properties, becoming a cultural staple rather to be shared with friends and family. The custom centers on communal drinking from a single vessel, a ritual that strengthens social bonds and invites participation. For this practice to work, water must be part of the ritual. When water runs short, the whole habit can falter. Recent remarks by the president touched on drought concerns, but forecasts remained uncertain.
Uruguay, a nation of about 3.5 million people, has faced a drought over several years. The scarcity prompted a formal water emergency and underscored how climate change is affecting river flows and water security. Montevideo and its outskirts have felt the pinch as the Paso Severino reservoir, roughly 85 kilometers north, continues to drop. Storage levels have fallen dramatically, shrinking from millions of cubic meters to a fraction of previous capacity. Current readings place the reservoir near the critical range, with the possibility of only a limited supply if rains fail to arrive. The looming prospect is a continued challenge for the city’s water system.
salting
As the crisis deepened, Obras Sanitarias del Estado, the national water utility, began blending scarce fresh water from the Santa Lucía River with saline water from near the Río de la Plata. Proximity to the Atlantic and the river system has introduced higher chloride and sodium levels to the potable supply, a move aimed at keeping water drinkable under strain. The medical community advised caregivers to limit salt in children’s meals to mitigate health concerns as the situation evolved.
The effects ripple beyond meals. Hairdressers reported difficulty washing hair, and clients sometimes avoided looking in the mirror afterward. Personal hygiene routines became unfamiliar with salt residue in tubs and toothbrushes, turning daily care into a new kind of challenge for households.
buy bottled water
Residents of Montevideo and nearby areas found themselves purchasing bottled water simply to meet ordinary needs. Sales surged dramatically, and households faced higher costs as they sought eight liter containers averaging around three and a half euros. The Ministry of Social Development offered two liters of free bottled water for babies under two years old and for pregnant women. Discounted prices appeared in many stores, yet a notable portion of low-income households did not fully access the aid. The price uplift added another layer of hardship for families already coping with scarcity.
Uruguay’s governance has faced questions about public promises and real-world results. With a Magna Carta guaranteeing access to drinking water since 2004, the water system remains regulated by the state-owned OSE, which has operated as a monopoly for nearly two decades. Yet aging infrastructure has allowed significant water loss through leaking pipes, a fact highlighted by local reporting and critics alike. The tension between policy aims and practical delivery has become a central topic in national discourse.
necessary investments
Political rivals have debated responsibility for the crisis. The current administration argues that years of hubris and inertia left the system underprepared, while opponents point to broader political and budgetary constraints.
President Lacalle Pou pledged the construction of a new reservoir within a short timeframe, but experts cautioned that such timelines may be optimistic. The government pointed to the Arazatí project as a long-term solution, a plan valued at around two hundred million dollars that would extend reliable water supply to the metropolitan area within two years. In the meantime, meteorological forecasts remained uncertain, and the public followed weather updates closely, aware that rainfall alone would not instantly solve entrenched water issues. The resort to mineralized water served as a reminder that endurance and adaptive strategies would be necessary, including potential shifts in daily habits and consumption.
The experience underscored the need to address beyond immediate shortages. Authorities and communities are considering how to strengthen water infrastructure, reduce leaks, and improve resilience against climate fluctuations. As residents adjust to new routines, the hope remains that daily rituals like mate can endure, even if they require careful water management and occasional rethinking of traditional practices. The path forward will hinge on steady investments, precise planning, and a collective effort to safeguard a resource that touches daily life in every home.