PHOENIX — Phoenix needs more water, and it has nothing to do with the lack of rain.
The city’s program to keep vulnerable citizens hydrated during the hot summer months is running low on bottled water.
Around 250,000 bottles have been handed out since May.
“We can definitely use maybe three times of that.
Our supply is not meeting the demand at this time,” Briselda Rodriguez, community initiative specialist for the Phoenix Human Services Department, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.
Small bottled water donations can be made at the city’s senior or family service centers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 219 people died from heat-associated causes around the state last year, with nearly 1,300 heat-caused deaths statewide during the decade from 2005 to 2015.
“Along with distributing water to the community, the city does have several hydration and cooling stations,” Rodriguez said.
“Hydration stations are where anyone can come in and request water, and cooling stations are where anyone in the public can come in during hours of operation to get out of the heat.” The hydration and cooling stations are located at libraries and senior or family service centers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.