On Wednesday , officials in the Argentine city of Bahia Blanca issued warnings to its 420,000 residents to stop drinking tap water and to curtail the time spent in showers.

People were also cautioned not to brush their teeth with tap water, which has become tainted with a toxic bacteria that causes skin problems and can trigger neurological damage.

The public health chief of Bahia Blanca, Ana Maria Reimers, reported, "I've worked here for 25 years and I'd say this is the worst water crisis I've ever seen here."

Angry city residents have taken to the streets in protest, carrying banners which read, "This water is going to kill us."