"Water used to cover everything you can see."
The South American country of 3.5 million people is reeling from its worst drought in 74 years, pushing frustrated residents to depend on bottled water.
Low rainfall has forced water authorities to use water from a saltier part of the Santa Lucia river, which supplies most of Uruguay's drinking water, leaving tap water undrinkable for many.
Earlier this month, Uruguay's government declared a water emergency, exempting taxes on bottled water and ordering the construction of a new reservoir.
"The issue is real," said musician Frank Lampariello, after stocking up on bottled water at a supermarket in Solymar, on Montevideo's outskirts.
Persons:
Alejandro Obaldia CANELONES, Mario del Pino, Adrian Dias, OSE, Federico Kreimerman, Kreimerman, Gerardo Amarilla, Frank Lampariello, Alejandro Obaldia, Brendan O'Boyle, Stephen Coates
Organizations:
REUTERS, Thomson
Locations:
Canelones, Uruguay, Montevideo, Santa Lucia, Solymar, Montevideo's