Mayor of Bogotá encourages people not to bathe if they do not leave the house and as a couple

In the midst of the implementation of water rationing in Bogotá, the mayor of the Colombian capital, Carlos Fernando Galán, suggested various strategies to encourage saving this vital resource. The rationing measure will come into force this Thursday, April 11, affecting different sectors of the city.

We recommend: 16 dead after earthquake in Taiwan; 3 people are still missing

One of the mayor’s most unusual recommendations It is the suggestion not to bathe if you are going to stay at home during the weekend and that you should bathe as a couple.. The president explained that drastically reducing bathing time can have a significant impact on water savings.

“If you’re not going to leave your house on Sunday, take advantage and don’t take a bath. Stay at home during the weekend and go and take a bath on Monday,” Galán said during an interview with the Caracol television channel. “When you have children you know that it’s not that serious, you say ‘oops daddy’, let’s stop hunkering down (disguise) and only do what’s necessary,” he added.

Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán did not rule out energy rationing in Bogotá. He added that they are evaluating sanctions for those who waste water amid the liquid restriction in Bogotá.

More in pic.twitter.com/lypc2vdvjD

— Noticias Caracol (@NoticiasCaracol) April 10, 2024

Galán also shared his own personal experience, revealing that he has reduced the time it takes to shower to just three minutes. These measures, although they may seem extreme, seek to raise awareness about the importance of conserving water in times of scarcity. Another suggestion from the mayor is to encourage bathing as a couple as a pedagogical exercise in saving water.

“This is a pedagogical exercise to save water, not other things. These types of things are going to help us a lot. These behavioral changes are key,” Galán emphasized.

Bogotá and some surrounding municipalities will have water rationing starting Thursday due to the low level of the reservoirs caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. As a consequence of the drought caused by El Niño, Three reservoirs that supply water to the city have low levels, Galán explained. Ten nearby municipalities suffer from the same problem and will also have rationing.

In January, the lack of rain caused hundreds of forest fires in Colombia that consumed some 17,100 hectares of forest.

In the capital, the eastern hills of the city burned for several days. Last week, the Minister of the Environment, Susana Muhamad, described Galán’s decision as “responsible” given the “unusual temperatures” of up to 24 degrees Celsius in Bogotá, a traditionally cold Andean city. Rain is expected to return in late April or early May.

With information from AFP | dmr