Water restrictions affect carwashes in Bogotá
Colombia’s capital Bogotá currently grapples with a severe water crisis. The authorities of one of the highest cities in the world announced restrictions as drought, fueled by El Niño, pushes reservoirs toward record lows.
The rationing came into effect last week. Bogotá and dozens of surrounding towns have been divided into nine different zones with domestic running water cut off for 24 hours in each zone on a rotation that will reset every 10 days. The measures will affect approximately 9 million people.
The government wants to ensure schools and hospitals have a continuous supply. But carwashes will probably be severely affected.
The measures are part of emergency plans introduced by the Colombian government and the city’s mayor after reservoirs reached “historically low” levels.
All-time low
The Chuza and San Rafael reservoirs, part of the Chingaza System that provides 70% of the city’s drinking water, are at an all-time low.
“Let’s not waste a drop of water in Bogotá at this time,” Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán said during a press conference. The mayor called for “a behavioral change that is sustainable over time and guarantees that water is enough for everyone.”
According to CNN, it’s not unusual for cities in Latin America to face water crises. Bogotá joins Mexico City to its northwest, which could also be on the brink of running out of water, as the combination of climate change, El Niño, geography and rapid urban development put immense strain on its water resources.
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