In another hamlet, Agua Alegre, fresh water for cooking and drinking was available only from a small communal tap. Some sixty families lived in the houses nearby, and long lines formed as the women filled plastic jugs to carry away. Five years before, when local authorities started rationing the supply during the summer, residents were told that they could draw water at any time of day they wanted, but only on certain days of the week; three years before, the schedule was limited to specific hours on consecutive days. Now water was available only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, between the hours
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