Venezuela Faces Water Rationing

World Today

Water levels at Venezuela’s Lagartijo reservoir has reached record lows — forcing the government to start emergency rationing in Caracas. The government says this is the consequence of climate change — but others say the Maduro government has failed to properly maintain the infrastructure of the country’s water supply.
But Venezuela’s water problems are nothing new. Due to poor urban planning, many of the slums are without water from months at a time, making people dependent on water trucks that come periodically to the neighborhoods.  Government critics also point out that the Maduro government and his predecessor Hugo Chavez, failed to adequately maintain the infrastructure. While no new reservoirs have been built in the past 15 years.

The government expects water at the Lagartijo reservoir to reach normal levels by August or September. But until then, Caracas will be the first example of what many cities may have to do as droughts become more common.

Venezuela Faces Water Rationing

Water levels at Venezuela's Lagartijo reservoir has reached record lows -- forcing the government to start emergency rationing in Caracas. The government says this is the consequence of climate change -- but others say the Maduro government has failed to properly maintain the infrastructure of the country's water supply