Medellin Suspends Water Rationing Just Three Days After It Began

On September 3, 2026, the city of Medellin decided to suspend water rationing that had started three days prior in certain areas. The measure was lifted after the first days achieved the necessary water savings to address the deficit in the water supply system. Despite the suspension, authorities will continue monitoring daily consumption to reassess the situation on Monday, September 7.

The primary goal is to reduce overall water consumption through public awareness, as Medellin grapples with a severe drought caused by worsening El Niño conditions. The water rationing, which primarily affected areas in northeastern and east-central Medellin, was implemented to temporarily reduce water demand amid declining flows and reserves.

During the initial two days of the measure, average water savings of 120 liters per second were achieved, which equated to nearly 10 million liters per day and helped offset the current deficit in the Piedras Blancas system. In response to these positive results, Medellin Mayor Federico Gutierrez announced that the scheduled interruptions would be suspended starting Wednesday and for the rest of the week.

He emphasized the importance of continued water savings, targeting an additional 92 liters per day per household in the affected zones over the next five days and 70 liters per day in the rest of Medellin and the metropolitan area. Failure to meet these targets could lead to the reinstatement of water rationing. Residents are urged to conserve water by adopting practices such as taking shorter showers, turning off faucets when not in use, and avoiding the use of hoses for washing vehicles or outdoor surfaces.

Authorities will conduct daily measurements to determine if users are meeting the water savings goals, with a crucial review scheduled for Monday, September 7.