Understanding the Water Crisis in Bogotá

Recently, my wife and I experienced a water outage in our Bogotá apartment. Despite having paid our water bill, the entire Teusaquillo neighborhood faced the same issue, with Chapinero, Barrios Unidos, and Santa Fé also affected. Over the past month, residents from all corners of the capital, home to 8 million people, have dealt with water cuts as the city grapples with an unprecedented water crisis.

The current water shortage in Bogotá is the worst in recorded history. Last month, the Chingaza Reservoir System, which provides a significant portion of the city's water, was at a mere 15% of its capacity, the lowest since its establishment in the 1980s. Officials estimate that Bogotá has approximately 50 days of water supply remaining, prompting Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán to describe the situation as “dire.”

The city government has implemented unprecedented water restrictions. On April 15, Bogotá was divided into nine zones, with each zone receiving a 24-hour water cut on a rotating schedule. These restrictions are ongoing, as officials work to replenish the reservoirs.

Additionally, households consuming over 22 cubic meters of water monthly are facing a surcharge on their bills, effectively a water tax. Residents caught wasting water—such as washing cars—are subjected to fines up to $300 USD, a significant amount considering Colombia's average monthly income is around 2,700,000 Colombian pesos ($700 USD).

Before the restrictions, the city consumed about 18 cubic meters of water per second. However, due to the new measures, consumption has dropped to 16 cubic meters per second, with the Chingaza Reservoir System showing a slight recovery to 19% capacity by early May. "We have begun to reduce water consumption," Galán noted in a recent press conference, yet emphasized that more efforts are necessary.

To fully restore the reservoirs, consumption must fall below 15 cubic meters per second, and even this would take months for the reservoirs to recover fully. "Shower as a couple," he advised residents, highlighting the importance of behavioral changes in water conservation.

Situated at an altitude of 8,660 feet, Bogotá ranks among the highest capital cities in the world, only surpassed by Quito, Ecuador, and La Paz, Bolivia. Nestled in the Bogotá savanna, the city is flanked by the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. The high-altitude wetlands, specifically the Chingaza and Sumapaz Páramos, serve as the primary sources of the city’s water, providing around 70% and 5% of its supply, respectively.

Historically, Bogotá receives ample rainfall, averaging 40 inches annually, similar to Seattle. Unlike many global cities that depend on aquifers, Bogotá relies almost entirely on surface water, making it vulnerable to rainfall variability. However, this year's rainy season has been disappointingly dry, marking the worst conditions for the time of year.

Bogotá and much of South America have been enduring a severe drought since August of last year, exacerbated by climate change, which has made such conditions significantly more likely, according to researchers. The drought prompted the Colombian government to declare a national disaster in January, as wildfires raged in the nearby mountains.

As temperatures soar, 2023 has already set records as the hottest year, with extreme heat continuing into 2024. Since last year, numerous record-high temperatures have been documented across the nation. The El Niño weather phenomenon has intensified these conditions, disrupting rainfall patterns and contributing to the ongoing drought.

The primary drivers of Bogotá's water crisis are evident, but the roots extend deep into the Amazon Basin.

Video Description: A visual overview of how Bogotá is responding to its water crisis, including the implementation of water rationing as reservoirs run low.