The heat wave that hit the state of São Paulo last week caused water consumption to increase by up to 60%, according to Sabesp, in some regions, affecting the level of water sources that supply Greater São Paulo. In this way, the State Government alerts the population to save money and immediately reduce water consumption.
The growth in consumption comes at a time when rainfall in São Paulo is at its lowest level in recent years, causing a prolonged drought, in addition to affecting the capacity of the dams that supply the Metropolitan Region.
Some tips for saving water are: faster showers, avoiding sweat for non-essential purposes such as washing sidewalks or filling swimming pools, checking that there are no leaks in the home that are causing waste, closing taps tightly after use, among others. The Government also highlights that the use of water must be prioritized for food and personal hygiene, but in a conscious way.
Since August, the Government of São Paulo, in partnership with the Public Services Regulatory Agency of the State of São Paulo (Arsesp), determined that water pressure should be reduced at night. Between August 27th and September 21st, the reduction occurred for eight hours, starting at 9pm and ending at 5am. From September 22nd, the opening hours were extended by two hours, starting at 7pm and ending at 5am.
The State Government monitors the supply systems with Sabesp, which carries out operational maneuvers to preserve distribution balance. As a preventive measure, the company has reinforced its supply, including with the support of water trucks in specific regions.
