The long drought in Venezuela has caused serious problems. The hydroelectric dams that supply almost all the national territory are nearing the point of collapse. However, this was not the only problem caused by water scarcity.

In the city of Valencia (Carabobo), the drainage from Valencia's Lake to the reservoir of Pao Cachinche has caused a severe case of contamination. According to chemical engineer Jacquelin Rodríguez León, water from the reservoir that supplies most of the million and half people who inhabit this city, contains dangerous levels of aluminum, mercury and lead, which generate health risks ranging from motor impairment and speech, to increased risk for Alzheimer's.

The pollution comes not only from the lake: the process of sterilizing water includes the use of chlorine gas and aluminum sulfate, which remain in the water. In addition, the pesticides used in dozens of farms which surround Pao Cachinche leach into the water through irrigation systems.

As the region's main newspaper -"El Carabobeño"- indicated, "the aluminum reference range allowed in the body must be less than 8 micrograms per gram, but the sample presented gives results of 11, 13, 34, 42 and up to 46 micrograms per gram. Other metals that show levels above the allowable limit are lead, thorium, uranium, barium, cadmium and silver."

Intoxication of these minerals caused several children fake symptoms of autism. Moreover, any Valencian may perceive the vapor released by pollution in its own shower: the feeling of suffocation which requires to open the windows in order to take a shower, and avoid contact of water with eyes, are enough evidence that something is wrong.

Nevertheless, the company responsible for providing water service, Hidrocentro, has ruled in denying the existence of pollution factors in water:
"From the results, we can say that the water is safe for human consumption, according to health standards for drinking water quality of 13 February 1998, Official Gazette number 36,395, as the methods used did not find presence of fecal and total coliform." (RNV - Esp)

The Venezuelan government has assured that Venezuela will fulfill its Millennium Goals by 2012, three years ahead of schedule, "at the end of the second term of President Hugo Chávez." However, for Valencia's inhabitants, it is still a torture to take a shower when there is water. And there are still those who use the dubious liquid coming from the tap for drinking and food preparation.