Colombian audit probes Veolia water concession in Tunja

Colombia’s national auditor, the Contraloría General de la República, has opened a formal review of the water‑and‑sewerage concession contract between the municipality of Tunja and French utility Veolia. The review follows a petition and complaint filed by lawyer Marco Antonio Palma Luna, which alleges that the 2019 amendment (Otrosí No. 01) to the 1996 concession contract fundamentally altered its economic, financial and commercial terms, extending the concession until 2041 and creating a fiscal imbalance that benefits Veolia at the expense of the city.

The complaint asserts that the amendment was not a minor change but a structural one, was adopted without prior authorization from the Tunja City Council, and lacked independent technical, financial and environmental studies. The Contraloría noted multiple related complaints filed in 2025 and has referred the matter to its legal office to determine whether an extraordinary fiscal intervention is warranted. Requested actions include a preliminary investigation, specialized technical testing, quantification of possible municipal damages and identification of responsible officials. The case has revived debate over transparency in public contracting and the long‑term financial impact of concession extensions on municipal resources.