In the middle of his visit to La Guajira, the president of the Republic, Gustavo Petrolaunched a strong criticism of Bogotá for the water crisis that the country’s capital is currently facing.
“We thought that La Guajira was going to have the worst crisis this time and it turns out that it resisted much more than the capital. Bogotá is rationing today and the quality of the water that comes out of the tap of any house in the capital is worse than that of many communities in La Guajira.. Look at that paradox,” the President said in his speech.
Has the quality of water in Bogotá deteriorated?
Faced with these statements, several sectors of the district reacted and asked for “political and technical responsibility” for their accusations. Natasha Avendaño, manager of the Bogotá Aqueduct and Sewer Company (EAAB), pointed out in the microphones of Caracol Radio’s 6AM that: “Bogotá’s water is drinkable, it is suitable for human consumption.”
According to the official, every day Approximately 70 samples are made in the approximately 245 points arranged throughout the city, to ensure that the water that reaches the homes of the capital is drinkable.
Additionally, Avendaño argued that, from the Ministry of Health, several tests are also carried out to ensure the water quality From the capital. The results of these tests are They can find out daily through an application that the entity launched a few weeks ago.
Given the accusations made by the President of the Republic, the Aqueduct Manager highlighted the information registered before the SIVICAP, an information system for water monitoring. From this information, it is constructed the Water Quality Risk Index (IRCA) in the country, which indicates that Bogotá does not present risk.
According to Avendaño: “This means that the water quality risk index is below 5 points, which makes it suitable for human consumption,” ended.
Why do cases of yellow water continue to occur?
During these weeks of rationing, Several citizens have complained again about the color of the water that enters the homes after the service was reactivated. Many have wondered if these changes would be affecting the drinkability Of the same.
It is worth remembering that in March of this year, a similar episode happened in several sectors of the city. As the Acueducto explained at the time, this was due to the operating system change that sought to reduce pressure in the Chingaza System and increase supply from Tibitoc.
According to the entity, these operations generated a release of particles typical of water treatment, which led to the color of the water changing, but without affecting drinkability.
Regarding the current complaints, the Aqueduct Manager explains that an effect is happening very similar to what happened a few months ago. “When the water returns, it is generated as a temporary detachment of that layer of the tubes and these particular effects are generated,” Avendaño explained.
Faced with these cases, what they recommend from the Aqueduct is to make the report to line 116 to make the report and thus be able to attend to it. According to the official, Work is being done in the sectors where these situations have occurred the most to control them.
