# Santa Marta water utility management transition

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/santa-marta-water-utility-management-transition
> Updated: 2026-08-09T17:53:13.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

The Colombian government has ended the five-year state takeover of the Santa Marta water utility, ESSMAR. Following a resolution by the Superintendence of Public Services, administrative and operational control of the utility has been returned to Santa Marta's mayor, Carlos Pinedo Cuello.

This transition follows a period of national government intervention and significant financial investment, including approximately 1.2 trillion Colombian pesos allocated for desalination plants and infrastructure to address the city's chronic water shortages. While the state takeover has concluded, the Superintendence maintains its ability to provide oversight for any remaining administrative or financial issues.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-09: Cartagena manages water pipe repairs and proposed utility company

Cartagena is repairing water pipelines affecting multiple neighborhoods while the local government proposes creating a new state-owned public services company, a move under oversight by the Procuraduría.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cartagena-manages-water-pipe-repairs-and-proposed-utility-company

### 2026-08-07: Santa Marta’s ESSMAR water utility handed back to mayor after five‑year state takeover

Colombia’s Superintendence ends the five‑year state takeover of Santa Marta’s ESSMAR water utility, returning control to Mayor Carlos Pinedo and enabling a $1.2 trn desalination plan.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-martas-essmar-water-utility-handed-back-to-mayor-after-fiveyear-state-takeover

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Cite as: Santa Marta water utility management transition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/santa-marta-water-utility-management-transition