Medellín implements water rationing due to El Niño

Medellín is implementing its first major water rationing scheme in response to the El Niño phenomenon, which has caused decreased rainfall and falling reservoir levels. Starting Monday, August 31, and initially scheduled to last until September 30, the measure aims to preserve water reserves to ensure supply through early 2027.

The rationing will be implemented in a staggered manner across six communes: Popular, Manrique, Aranjuez, Villa Hermosa, Buenos Aires, and parts of La Candelaria. The cuts are expected to affect approximately 109,235 installations, impacting roughly 300,000 people. Scheduled interruptions will occur between 6:00 PM and 5:00 AM the following day, with service suspended every other day in certain sectors.

Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) expects the strategy to achieve a nearly 5% reduction in water consumption. To assist affected communities, EPM will deploy four water tankers and two adapted trucks to provide service during the rationing hours. Authorities noted that the current climate phenomenon has a 69% probability of reaching levels similar to those seen in 1997-1998.