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Mayor Federico Gutiérrez calls for voluntary water savings in Medellin as consumption increases during initial challenge

Mayor Federico Gutiérrez has requested that citizens in Medellin reduce their water consumption to avoid a shortage. Although the municipal government initially ordered water rationing for five localities in the northeast and central-east zones, the administration reversed the measure to appeal for voluntary savings across the entire city. On the first day of the challenge, household water consumption increased in areas dependent on the Piedras Blancas Reservoir System. In the Riogrande II system, consumption rose by 8 liters per household despite a goal to reduce it by 70 liters. The La Fe system saw a reduction of only 2 liters per household, which was below the expected goal. Mayor Federico Gutiérrez warned that if consumption behavior does not change in the next few days, the administration will re-apply sectorized water cuts. The city faces a shortage due to low reservoir levels and the arrival of El Niño, which is predicted to decrease water supplies further by the end of the year. To mitigate the crisis, the administration has already implemented rationing in public buildings and stopped watering public gardens.

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