The low level registered by the reservoirs led the Mayor of Bogotá to implement a water rationing plan. The strategy, which was launched on April 8, aims to ensure the supply of this resource for the country's capital.
(Read more: With reservoirs at historic lows, more measures are activated to mitigate the risk of blackouts)
Thus, the measure is aimed at achieving an 11% reduction in the total consumption of the capital's residents and increase the capacity of the reservoirs from 16.63% to 20.3% that supply Bogotá with water.
The impact of these cuts in the service goes beyond the savings that the city's inhabitants must adopt in the use and consumption of water, since rationing will also have an effect on unions and industries.
(See: The strategy of car washes in Bogotá to save water)
Water rationing in Bogotá
Sergio Acero Yate / Portfolio
To better understand this panorama, EL TIEMPO consulted with several union leaders regarding the actions that are being implemented to address this situation.
On the side of Fenalco Bogotá (a union that brings together merchants), its president, Juan Esteban Orrego, highlighted that, although the restrictions on the service could affect the sector, The priority now is to be responsible with the consumption of resources.
“You have to be careful to turn off the air conditioners where they are not necessary, use daylight, make sure that the refrigerators are closed and that we do not have leaks in any sector or business”he highlighted.
In that order of ideas, Orrego emphasized that they will accompany the Mayor's plan and, once the situation stabilizes,“The effects of the measure will be reviewed to seek to somehow support commerce in the recovery.”
(See: Know your water rationing turn in Bogotá with only the address of your property)
water rationing
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(Read more: The impact that the drought has had on the landscape and tourism dynamics of Guatapé)
On the side of the hotel sector, Inhotelcol, indicated that small hotels and motels have been preparing with campaigns to mitigate the effects of the water crisis in the city. “We have been warning small hoteliers and clients to please be very careful with their water consumption, to turn off the faucet when they wash their hands and brush their teeth,” the union highlighted.
Faced with the impacts of rationing in the industry, Inhotelcol indicated that they hope they will not be so strong, since by a national health standard they are obliged to have water reserves in tanks and that with these contingencies such as the one the capital is going through can be faced.
Turning to the restaurants, the president of Acodres, Guillermo Gómez, told the media that, for the moment, it is not possible to determine whether the rationing will generate losses due to the unusual nature of the situation. Nevertheless, highlighted the district's decision to establish water cuts with suspensions that do not exceed 24 hours.
“This is a time that is prudent within the contingency plans that restaurants have to deal with a situation like this. If there had been longer times of rationing, if we could have had difficulties, even not opening the restaurants,” express.
(See: In the midst of the crisis due to the drought in reservoirs, the Creg has not been able to make decisions)
BRIEFCASE
*With information from EL TIEMPO
