Bogotá, Columbia's mayor, Carlos Galán, announced on April 10, 2024, that the capital city, with a population of about 11,625,000, will start mandatory water rationing. Residents will have no water to use for about one day each week.
This drastic measure comes because of extremely low water levels in the reservoirs where residents get their water.
About 70% of the city's drinking water comes from San Rafael and Chuza reservoirs. In all, the city uses water in eight reservoirs. Water from those eight reservoirs is divided into three water systems.
Overall, the system is experiencing over a 55% shortage. The Chingaza System, which includes the two main reservoirs, is at less than 18% capacity. The Northern system is at less than 44% capacity, while the Southern System is at less than 55% capacity.
The mayor is hopeful that rationing will only last until the end of the month, but that depends on the weather.