IN STEREO

There are lakes that are artificial, right? You can tell that it is an artificial lake, with a base made of llama leather so that the water can’t be soaked up. It’s true. The Spaniards made it, and they diverted waters from it. There are about twenty-something lagoons, aren’t there? I remember, even if it wasn’t raining, the ponds were always full. That’s the main thing affected – the water. Water is what has been most affected. It’s starting to dry up, that’s why. As I say, the ponds, all the grasslands… It even affects the city, actually, doesn’t it? It’s true. In most of the province [but] in the high parts more than anywhere, it’s already bringing consequences. As they once said, when there is war, it’s going to be for the water. And you see, that’s why we’re going to get close to that, aren’t we?

They have cut the veins of water under the earth, haven’t they? And they pump that. That’s what is being used for their mineral processing plants. But [it’s] contaminated water – that water isn’t good. I think this is always an effect of mining. [But] if they had left it, if that company had not worked? Then the normal waters would have come out on the slopes, wouldn’t they? And then they would have gone like rivers, they would have gone out into the lagoons. They kept going – they must have be working about ten years like this – and just now the effects are arriving. That’s why we’re in drought. Companies totally fucked this. How much is the contract? That’s why there’s no need to drink water – you have to drink beer! – Amilcar