Bogota Faces Water Rationing for the First Time in 40 Years Due to Severe Drought

In Bogota, Colombia's capital, the severe drought has prompted the city to start rationing tap water for the first time in 40 years, affecting businesses and residents alike. Luis Soler, a restaurant owner, has taken measures to adapt to the water shortage. Anticipating the rationing, he purchased bottled water for cooking and stored tap water for dishwashing. He expects an increase in sales as many people in his neighborhood are unable to cook due to the water scarcity.

Officials in Bogota initiated water rationing after reservoirs reached historically low levels due to high temperatures and a lack of rainfall caused by the El Niño climate phenomenon. The rationing, effective three times per month for 24-hour periods, will be reviewed every 15 days to determine its continuation, modification, or elimination.

Before this rationing, Bogota had not experienced water scarcity of this nature since 1997, when technical issues led to restricted water services. The last drought-induced rationing occurred in 1984.

Conservation Measures

Officials have advised residents to store only essential amounts of water, refrain from washing cars and implement water-saving actions at home. Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán even suggested sharing showers as a pedagogical exercise in water conservation.

Businesses providing car washing services are already feeling the effects, with decreased customer visits due to the water shortage. However, some owners like John Guerrero see this as a positive step towards water conservation.

Bogota typically consumes an average of 18 cubic meters of water per second. With the rationing system in place, officials aim to reduce this consumption by 2 cubic meters per second. The goal is to replenish reservoirs to over 70% capacity by the year's end.