Bagé, a city in the Campanha region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is facing severe water shortages as it announces an expansion of its water rationing measures. Starting from Monday, the town will alter its previous system of alternating day water supply to a daily schedule, with each sector experiencing a 12-hour interruption. This measure is taken in response to the significantly low levels in local reservoirs, which are at alarming depths, prompting the Department of Water, Arroios, and Sewage (Daeb) to take action to ensure availability of water to residents.

The primary water source for the municipality, the Sanga Rasa Dam, is reported to be 5.90 meters below its normal level, while the Piraí Dam is 2 meters below normal. The city will be segregated into two sectors for the new water rationing process. Sector 1 will not receive water from 3 PM to 3 AM, while Sector 2 will face interruptions from 3 AM to 3 PM. These adjustments are aimed at managing the limited water resources more effectively, ensuring that the drinking water supply can be sustained amidst ongoing dry conditions.

Max Meinke, the director of Daeb, emphasized that this decision is essential given the forecast of no significant rainfall in the near future. This development highlights the critical issue of water scarcity that many regions in Brazil are currently facing, leading to potential implications for public health, sanitation, and local agriculture. As the situation evolves, further measures may be necessary to manage water resources in Bagé effectively.