Quito cuts water hours as drought persists

The public water utility in Quito, Ecuador, has reduced supply hours in five high‑altitude parishes—La Merced, Alangasí, Píntag, San Antonio and Calacalí—after 57 consecutive days without rain pushed daily per‑capita consumption to about 240 liters. EPMAPS said the schedule, now in its third summer, aims to avoid pressure drops and interruptions while sources remain stable.

Experts warn that the Quito situation reflects a broader global water crisis. The planet loses an estimated 324 billion cubic metres of fresh water each year, enough for 280 million people. The European Commission projects worldwide demand could outstrip supply by 40 % by 2030. In the Netherlands, authorities have declared a real water deficit and limited irrigation, while Hungary’s prime minister called the current supply situation “extraordinary” and urged citizens to conserve water. The report underscores rising scarcity driven by climate change, population growth and unsustainable water use.