Tourists Staying at São Paulo Hostel Use Water from WC to Cook

02/06/2015 - 09h24

The draught in São Paulo has already started to pressure the city's hostels into adapting.

Folha spoke to ten hostels across all regions of the capital of São Paulo state.

In five of them, problems with the water supply have encouraged owners to look for alternatives.

At Alice Hostel, in western São Paulo, it was necessary for guests to take showers at the hostel owner's home.

In January the hostel went through two whole days without water.

"We had to buy mineral water to brush our teeth", Victor Lima Santos, a member of staff, said.

	Reinaldo Canato/Folhapress
	A group of Israeli guests had to take water from the bathroom to cook

The hostel has installed two 1,000 liter tanks to deal with the problem, which has already caused frustration amongst its guests.

"There were people who left and were angry."

In the same parto f the city, Sampa Hostel has installed a 2,000 liter water tank and intends to install two more.

The kitchen is shut down when the water is cut.

"A group of Israeli guests arrived late at night without any money to eat out. They had to take water from the bathroom to cook. I don't think they will say good things about Brazil when they leave", Danilo Rodrigues de Souza, a member of staff, said.

Sabesp, a waste management company owned by the state of São Paulo, said that locals are subject to pressure reduction maneuvers in order to decrease water wastage.

	Reinaldo Canato/Folhapress
	A group of Israeli guests had to take water from the bathroom to cook

According to the company, many locals are not able to fill up their tanks in enough time, due to living in higher parts of the city or far from water stations.

Translated by CRISTIANE COSTA LIMA

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