Ipiales water supply deemed unsafe; partial service suspension ordered

The Departmental Health Institute of Nariño conducted a follow‑up inspection of the Empresa de Obras Sanitarias de Ipiales (Empoobando) after an acute diarrheal disease outbreak in the municipality. The inspection found the main water system supplied from the Río Blanco to be at high risk for contamination, with elevated turbidity and no residual chlorine, while the supplemental Pozo Versalles well was classified at very high risk.

To protect public health, the institute ordered a partial suspension of water service, prohibiting the use of water from both sources for direct consumption. Residents, businesses, schools and other institutions were instructed to boil water before drinking, cooking or washing food items. Empoobando was required to activate an emergency plan to provide safe water through alternative means to health centers, schools, prisons and childcare facilities, and to improve chlorination, tank cleaning and daily monitoring procedures.