Would you be willing to make some small changes so that other Costa Ricans are not left without water for 14 hours a day? Simply cutting two minutes off your shower time or using a watering can instead of hose to water plants could save 5 liters a day.
A lack of water is causing a crisis that is compared to Hurricane Otto in intensity. It’s causing outbreaks of diarrhea in schools across the metropolitan area. Sick students and teachers are sent home every day. The AyA declared a state of emergency and urged all inhabitants to save 5 liters of water a day to alleviate the problem since the whole system is interconnected. If some Costa Ricans water the grass or hose down the dust from the street others go without a way to stay clean and healthy.
In some schools, classes are cancelled while the water is out because they can’t keep the toilets clean or wash their hands, spreading disease. Other schools bought disposable plates because they can’t wash dishes. Others ask students and workers to bring water from home to drink and use for washing.
Authorities remind us to stay home when sick with diarrhea or vomiting as well as to avoid contamination by washing fruits, boiling water that has been stored, and not touching ice to put in beverages.
