Water rates in Bogotá and surrounding areas have increased starting this month [4].
The price hike affects thousands of households and businesses in the Colombian capital, placing additional financial pressure on residents during a period of climatic instability.
The Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado de Bogotá (EAAB) said that the adjustment is based on a new tariff methodology defined by the Comisión de Regulación de Agua Potable (CRA) [1]. The CRA established these changes through a formal resolution to update how water services are priced [1].
In Bogotá, the water bill will see an increase of 6.67% [1], though some reports round this figure to 6.7% [3]. Residents of Soacha will see a smaller increase of 2.3% [2]. Other affected areas may include Gachancipá, Tocancipá, and Zipaquirá [2].
"The adjustment responds to a new tariff methodology defined by the Commission for the Regulation of Potable Water," Natasha Avendaño said [1].
Despite the rising costs, the EAAB has addressed concerns regarding water scarcity. The utility provider said that the city is better prepared to handle current conditions, specifically the El Niño phenomenon, and that there will be no water rationing [3].
"Although the water rate will rise 6.7%, the Acueducto ensured that there will be no rationing despite the El Niño phenomenon," a spokesperson for the Bogotá Acueducto said [3].
There is some discrepancy regarding the scope of these changes. While some reports suggest the new methodology is intended for application across the entire country [3], other sources indicate the current adjustments apply specifically to Bogotá, Soacha, and adjacent zones [2].
“The water bill will see an increase of 6.67% in Bogotá and of 2.3% in Soacha.”
This tariff adjustment reflects a shift in the regulatory framework for public utilities in Colombia. By implementing the CRA's new methodology, Bogotá is aligning its cost recovery with updated national standards. However, the timing of the increase coincides with the El Niño phenomenon, which typically threatens water security in the region, making the EAAB's guarantee against rationing a critical point for public stability.
