The hospitality of Russian residents in this World Cup season is now expected to extend to public utilities, as residents in host city Samara were asked to shower in pairs to save water for use by visiting fans.
Water system authorities in Samara said they ramped up supplies in the last few days to accommodate increased water use during the football tournament and a recent heat wave.
“Thousands of the city’s visitors, who also consume water, are contributing to the increase,” the utility company, Samarskiye Kommunalniye Systemy, wrote in a press release on Wednesday.
In some of the city’s neighborhoods with the most demand for water, there was a decrease in water pressure, the company said.
To solve the problem it suggested an unusual solution. “Save water, take showers in pairs,” the utility company recommended, ending its message with a smiley face.
The release did not mention whether a water shortage is expected to hit Samara on Saturday, when the city will host England's match against Sweden as part of the quarterfinals.
… we have a small favor to ask. As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.
Remind me later.
