# Water resource management amid drought and El Niño > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/water-resource-management-amid-drought-and-el-nio > Updated: 2026-09-06T20:09:11.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 6. Regional authorities are implementing various measures to manage water resources in response to drought conditions and the El Niño phenomenon. In Spain, several municipalities have introduced restrictions, including fines for improper use and bans on activities such as filling private pools, washing cars, and irrigating gardens, as river flows have dropped significantly below normal levels. In South America, preparations for the El Niño 2026-27 cycle have led to contingency planning in Uruguay and Colombia. In Medellín, Colombia, authorities moved from planning to active water rationing starting August 31, 2026. Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) implemented a staggered service interruption scheme across six communes to preserve reserves through early 2027. Following a reduction in consumption, the Medellín District and EPM temporarily suspended cuts from Wednesday through Sunday, though they continue to monitor levels at the Piedras Blancas reservoir. By early September 2026, Medellín implemented nighttime water rationing, while El Carmen de Viboral also introduced nighttime cuts. As of early September 2026, the situation has intensified. In Colombia, President Abelardo de la Espriella introduced the ‘Plan Energía YA’ to protect energy supplies through incentives and thermal generation mechanisms. Localized shortages have reached Vélez, Santander, where residents are using water trucks. In Medellín, EPM announced scheduled eight-hour nightly service interruptions from September 8 to September 14, after users in the Piedras Blancas, Riogrande, and La Fe systems failed to meet daily water reduction targets. The water supply system faces a deficit of nearly 120 liters per second, with officials warning the Piedras Blancas reservoir could reach critical levels within 15 days. Additionally, the El Niño phenomenon is driving food insecurity; in Honduras, a red alert was declared as the World Food Programme warns acute food insecurity could affect up to 1.9 million people. ## Claims - EPM will implement scheduled water service interruptions in Medellín starting Tuesday, September 8. (disputed by 3 sources) - EPM initiated scheduled water service interruptions in Medellín starting August 31, 2026. (disputed) - Users in the Piedras Blancas, Riogrande, and La Fe systems failed to meet daily water conservation targets. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Water service interruptions will last eight hours, occurring between 8:00 PM and 4:00 AM, initially running until September 14. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Piedras Blancas reservoir is experiencing an estimated deficit of 120 liters of water per second. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The water service interruptions will affect approximately 109,000 households in Medellín. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Medellín District and EPM decided to suspend scheduled water cuts from Wednesday through Sunday due to recorded savings. (single source) - The temporary suspension of water cuts does not mean the permanent removal of restrictions. (single source) - La Cimarrona announced new nighttime water rationing schedules for El Carmen de Viboral starting September 3. (single source) - Water consumption in the Riogrande system increased by 10 liters daily instead of decreasing. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: Medellín announces nightly water cuts due to conservation failures Medellín will implement nightly water service interruptions starting September 8 after voluntary conservation efforts failed to meet targets amid El Niño-related droughts. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/medelln-water-service-interruptions-announced-due-to-low-conservation ### 2026-09-05: Latin American nations implement emergency plans for El Niño Latin American countries, including Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico, are launching emergency plans to combat the El Niño phenomenon, focusing on water security, energy stability, and crop protection. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-nio-triggers-water-scarcity-and-fire-risks-in-mexico-and-colombia ### 2026-09-02: Santa Rosa de Lima faces water crisis due to drought Santa Rosa de Lima, Colombia, faces a critical water shortage caused by the El Niño phenomenon and declining levels in the Canal del Dique, forcing residents to spend heavily on water tankers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-rosa-de-lima-faces-water-crisis-due-to-drought ### 2026-09-02: El Niño phenomenon triggers water and food security crises in Latin America The El Niño phenomenon is driving severe droughts and water shortages across Latin America, impacting agriculture in Honduras and Mexico, and triggering water rationing and energy risks in Colombia. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/medelln-temporarily-suspends-water-rationing-amid-reservoir-deficit ### 2026-08-31: Medellín implements water rationing due to El Niño Medellín will begin water rationing on August 31 to combat drought caused by El Niño, affecting approximately 300,000 people across six communes through scheduled nighttime service interruptions. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/medelln-implements-water-rationing-due-to-el-nio ### 2026-08-06: Spanish towns and other regions impose water restrictions amid drought Spanish towns impose fines and bans on non‑essential water use as drought deepens; Uruguay readies El Niño response; Colombia's Veolia plans water‑capture measures for Cúcuta. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-towns-villanueva-del-trabuco-and-betanzos-impose-water-restrictions --- Cite as: Water resource management amid drought and El Niño. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/water-resource-management-amid-drought-and-el-nio