Colombia faces water security risks amid El Niño forecasts

Colombia faces significant water security challenges as the El Niño phenomenon is projected to strengthen, with a 90% probability of reaching high intensity between late 2026 and early 2027. This phenomenon typically brings higher temperatures and reduced water availability to the region.

Despite Colombia producing six times more water per square kilometer than the global average, a significant gap in access remains. Official data indicates over five million people lack access to aqueduct services. This disparity is particularly acute in rural areas, where only 17.1% of households have access to public water systems, compared to 94.4% in urban areas.

To address these issues, the ‘Territorios del Agua’ forum, organized by Universidad EAN and the Coca-Cola System, brought together scientists and private sector representatives to discuss sustainable water management. The Ministry of Housing estimates that approximately COP 126 trillion is required to close gaps in potable water and basic sanitation through infrastructure expansion and institutional strengthening.