Anybody who likes to jog in Mendoza will recognize the challenge of running the gauntlet of hose bearers washing down their front pavements in the morning. That is all to change as Mendoza's government have imposed restrictions against the free use of water to shine the side walks. This is the result of the worrying water shortage anticipated this summer. Melted snow is at a premium after a mild winter where Mendoza's main skiing resort Penitentes remained closed because of a lack of snowfall.
The vast complex of waterways that keep this city so green and productive are fed by the Andes and the lack of snow has many worried that global warming could be the underlying reason why suddenly water has become an issue. Buckets and hoses are thus prohibited and any transgressors will incur a fine of 80 pesos. Lets hope this is the only water related inconvenience this city's inhabitants suffer and next year we will have snow by the hoseful.
