In response to a deepening water crisis, the national government of President Gustavo Petro will enact tougher regulations to curb water consumption in Bogotá as reservoir levels continue to decline. The city’s water reserves have fallen to 47%, prompting the Commission for the Regulation of Drinking Water and Basic Sanitation (CRA) to introduce new policies targeting residential and commercial users alike.
The stricter measures from the Ministry of Environment come as Colombia’s capital faces one of its worst water shortages in recent memory. The Chingaza reservoir system, which supplies Bogotá and the surrounding metropolitan region, has been dropping steadily over the past month, raising concerns over water availability between September and December 2024. Data released by the CRA shows reservoir levels fell from 52.7% in mid-August to just 47.6% in early September, with the trend expected to continue.
“If we reach December with the reservoir at 22%, there won’t be enough reserve capacity to get through the dry season until the rainy season arrives. What lies ahead in the coming months is demand control,” stated Environment Minister Susana Muhamad.
CRA’s Executive Director Ruth Quevedo Fique outlined the new policies and called for citywide cooperation. “This is a critical moment for Bogotá,” Quevedo said. “We must act decisively to prevent further depletion of our water.”
Among the measures, authorities will impose higher tariffs on residents who exceed new consumption limits. Under the updated regulations, households in lower socioeconomic strata (1 to 4) will face surcharges if they consume more than 12 cubic meters of water per month, while wealthier households (strata 5 and 6) will have to stay below 9 cubic meters to avoid penalties. Currently, the consumption threshold is set at 22 cubic meters across all households, but the CRA hopes that the lower limits will drive a significant reduction in usage.
In a departure from previous policies, the CRA’s new rules will also target non-residential sectors, including businesses and industries. Commercial users, who were previously exempt from stringent water-saving measures, will now be required to adhere to the same conservation goals as residential consumers. Quevedo emphasized that the private sector must play an active role in conserving water during the crisis, which she said was “everyone’s responsibility.”
The new rules also crack down on bulk water supply contracts, known as “bulk water sales.” These contracts, which allow large-scale consumers such as industrial plants to purchase water in bulk, will face additional restrictions aimed at limiting overall consumption. “Every drop counts,” said Quevedo. “We cannot afford waste, especially at such a critical time.”
To further incentivize conservation, the CRA will levy fines against companies that fail to meet specific water-loss reduction targets. Leaks and inefficient water management systems have been major contributors to the crisis, and Quevedo said that businesses must take immediate steps to improve their operations.
The end of El Niño
Although Colombia’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (Ideam) declared the end of the El Niño weather phenomenon in July, reservoir levels in Chingaza remain dangerously low. Chingaza has not recovered as expected, with levels well below the 70% mark that authorities hoped to reach by early October.
Ghisliane Echeverry, director of Ideam, also announced that from September to December, there will be a decrease in rainfall in the Orinoquía region, which will affect the Chuza reservoir, part of the Chingaza System.
The decline in Bogotá has been exacerbated by rising water demand. According to CRA figures, the capital’s total water consumption has surged to over 16 cubic meters per second, far exceeding sustainable limits. This surge, driven by both residential and commercial use, has complicated efforts to restore reservoir levels before the dry season begins in earnest.
Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, in a separate statement, requested that buildings and residential complexes stop using reserve tanks, as overuse has led to a 60% increase in water consumption, further delaying efforts to restore regular supply.
District officials are also encouraging Bogotá residents to take specific actions to reduce daily water use. They recommend reusing household water – such as washing machine water for flushing toilets – turning off faucets while soaping hands, and limiting garden watering. Washing cars with hoses is strongly discouraged, with the Mayoralty suggesting a cloth and bucket instead.
Quevedo warned that hoarding water during rationing periods could inadvertently worsen the crisis by leading to excessive waste. “If we overstock, we waste more water than we save,” she cautioned, stressing the need for responsible use.
Despite the new restrictions, there is growing concern among residents that water rationing could impact end-of-year festivities and extend well into next year. Bogotá’s Water and Sewage Company – EAAB – has already signaled that rationing could last up to 12 months if consumption patterns do not change. The utility company is also considering returning to rotating water rationing in different localities every 10 days instead of every 18 days, as is currently the case. “These measures are necessary to ensure that Bogotá has access to water in the future,” highlighted Quevedo. “We must all do our part to protect this vital resource.”
