The emergency generated by the El Niño phenomenon in Bogotá continues to wreak havoc in the capital. The drinking water rationing measure has not been able to be lifted since, although the level of the reservoirs has increased since April, the month in which the measure was decreed, the Chingaza System has not reached a climatic balance that would allow an increase in consumption without implying a reduction in the level.. Likewise, consumption has also been decisive in not being able to lift the measure, since since rationing was imposed, only one day has the goal been reached.
According to the report provided by the Bogotá Aqueduct Company, the Chingaza System reservoirs start the day at a historic figure since the emergency began in early 2024. The Bogotá reservoirs begin on Wednesday, June 12 at 36.61% capacity, an increase of almost one point compared to the previous day’s report. Furthermore, this figure, although low, is historic, taking into account that in April the reservoirs were close to 15% capacity.
What is missing to lift the drinking water rationing measure in Bogotá?
The goal imposed by the mayor of Bogotá, Carlos Fernando Galán, has changed on several occasions depending on the behavior of the citizens and the support of the climate in the areas of influence of the reservoirs. In principle, when the measure was established, the goal was to end April with the reservoirs at a minimum of 20%; that goal was not achieved. Then, the goal was set at 50% for May, a goal that was also not achieved. Likewise, Galán assured that in order to overcome the El Niño phenomenon of 2025, the reservoirs needed to be at a minimum of 75% capacity by December 2024.
The new goal imposed by the mayor of Bogotá is to reach October with a minimum of 70% capacity. This new goal was agreed upon in joint work with experts on the subject, who assured that the climatic conditions will allow the 75% initially proposed to be exceeded by a wide margin by December. Similarly, It is expected that, by maintaining daily water consumption below 16 cubic meters per second, as has been done throughout almost the entire measure, the goal of 70% will be achieved sooner than expected..
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