Aguas Corrientes

Aguas Corrientes is a small town in the Canelones Department of southern Uruguay. Its name (running waters) is derived from the installations of pumping, filtration and purification of water from the Santa Lucia River, which is the largest in the country, supplying drinking water to the departments of Montevideo and Canelones.

Aguas Corrientes is also the name of the municipality to which the town belongs.

Location
The town is located 13 km from the provincial capital of Canelones, 7 km from Santa Lucia, and 56 km from Montevideo. The banks of Santa Lucia river form the northwestern limits of the town.

History
Santa Lucia River was chosen by the national government as a source for drinking water for the city of Montevideo between 1867 and 1871. The construction of the water treatment facility started in 1870 and was inaugurated on 18 July 1871. The plant was first established with British capital and then passed into the hands of the state in 1949. The first people who moved here were the workers and personnel of the plant with their families. A public school was inaugurated in 1882. On 26 November 1923 it was declared a "Pueblo" (town) by decree Ley N° 7.651 and on 19 October 1971 its status was elevated to "Villa" (village) by decree Ley N° 14.037. Today the surrounding area is mainly agricultural and the town is a small commercial center, including services for the agricultural activities.

Population
According to the 2011 census, Aguas Corrientes had a population of 1,047. In 2010, the Intendencia de Canelones had estimated a population of 2,180 for the municipality during the elections. Much of its population is employed by the OSE Water Treatment Plant. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay

Sports
The town is home to a football club and a yacht club.