Ipiales councilors call for transparency in Empoobando water utility

Councilor Mauricio Portillo led a citizen forum in Ipiales demanding full transparency over the management of the public water provider Empoobando. He urged mayor Amílcar Pantoja to ensure an open decision‑making process and opposed any involvement of private operators in the service.

Portillo reported that he had filed a complaint with the Fiscalía General de la Nación over alleged contamination of the Blanco and Chiquito rivers. He also asked the Superintendencia de Servicios Públicos Domiciliarios to consider an administrative intervention and a technical review of Empoobando’s operations. The councilor emphasized the need for stronger institutional governance, the fight against corruption, and greater citizen participation to protect the municipality’s water resources and restore public confidence.