Heat wave: increased water consumption could cause shortages, says Copasa | Minas Gerais

The increase in water consumption during heat wave in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte it can cause shortages, according to the Minas Gerais Sanitation Company (Copasa). The alert was released after the demand for the service grows by an average of 20% in the last days.

The company states that, despite the production system being normalized, operating at its maximum and with the reservoirs that make up Paraopeba, responsible for supplying Greater BH, in 71%, the sudden increase in water use due to temperature records can lead to intermittences in the supply.

Still according to the company, cities further away from the production system would be more affected. This is the case of Esmeraldas, Igarapé, Lagoa Santa, Mateus Leme, Pedro Leopoldo, Ribeirão das Neves, Santa Luzia and Vespasiano.

“Even with maximum production, localized shortages may occur, due to high consumption, which causes an imbalance in the system. And we count on the population’s partnership to help reverse this situation”, stated Copasa superintendent, Ronaldo Serpa.

The company also warns about illegal connections, known as “gatos”, which remove pressure from the system and can reduce water supply in some regions. Furthermore, reinforces the need for conscious consumption.

“The Company advises the population to avoid waste and reinforces the recommendation for the conscious use of water, especially for customers of properties located in the lower parts of cities in the metropolitan region and which are supplied, so that other points can also be serviced normally “, said the statement.

The weather forecast indicates that the “heat” no must give “a truce”, with the possibility of new records by next week.

According to Civil Defense, the action of a mass of dry and hot air causes the occurrence of heat waves, low air humidity and temperatures above 32ºCmainly in the afternoon.