Medellín Starts Water Rationing as El Niño Drains Reservoirs

Medellín has initiated water rationing due to the effects of El Niño on reservoir levels in the Aburrá Valley. The water utility, Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM), anticipates the rationing could extend into 2027 if the dry conditions persist. The nationwide energy-saving program has begun as Colombia's dams, which provide both water and electricity, are affected by the extended drought.

Medellín, home to two million households, has started designated hours without running water, with the utility requesting residents to conserve water, repair leaks, and store water for when supplies are limited. The cuts are rotated among neighborhoods to ensure no district bears the entire burden daily. EPM warns that the restrictions could continue well into 2027, highlighting the slow recovery of mountain reservoirs post-El Niño.

Colombia, heavily reliant on hydroelectric power, is also facing an energy crisis as reservoir levels fall, prompting a national energy-saving program to reduce electricity consumption, particularly during peak hours. The government encourages households, offices, and factories to cut usage, especially at peak times, to compensate for the reduced output from hydroelectric dams.

Despite the inconvenience, hospitals, schools, and essential services remain unaffected. The situation underscores the vulnerability of water-intensive industries and the broader national grid, which could face prolonged water rationing if the dry spell continues.