Introduction: A City at the Brink of Thirst
As Bogotá grapples with one of its most severe water crises in decades, a heated dispute has erupted between the National Government and the Bogotá Water and Sewerage Company (EAAB). At the heart of the conflict is the PTAR Salitre (El Salitre Wastewater Treatment Plant), a critical infrastructure project that holds the potential to alleviate the city’s dependence on dwindling reservoirs.
The debate centers on the reuse of treated wastewater for industrial purposes—a process that could save millions of liters of potable water. However, what should be a technical solution to a climate emergency has transformed into a high-stakes political and legal standoff involving President Gustavo Petro, the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA), and the leadership of the EAAB. While the city endures rationing cycles, 77 liters per second of potentially usable water remain trapped in a web of "bureaucratic ping-pong."
Main Facts: The Core of the Disagreement
The controversy ignited following public statements by President Gustavo Petro, who suggested that the PTAR Salitre had been granted a "green light" by the national government to begin distributing treated wastewater for industrial use. This move is part of the administration’s broader "Water for Life" policy, which emphasizes circular economy principles and the conservation of primary water sources.
However, the Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado de Bogotá (EAAB), led by General Manager Natasha Avendaño, immediately countered the President’s narrative. Avendaño asserted that no such "clearance" exists and that the project is currently stalled due to conflicting signals from environmental authorities.
Key Points of Contention:
- The "Green Light" Claim: President Petro and ANLA Director Irene Vélez maintain that no new environmental license is required for the pilot project.
- The Concession Hurdle: The EAAB argues that while a new license might not be needed, a concession permit for the use of the water is still pending, preventing them from legally initiating the pilot.
- The Volume at Stake: Approximately 77 liters per second of treated water could be integrated into the industrial cycle, reducing the demand for fresh water from the Chingaza and Tibitoc systems.
- The Regulatory Framework: All parties reference Resolution 1256 of 2021, which dictates the guidelines for the reuse of treated wastewater, but they disagree on how it should be applied in this specific instance.
Chronology: A Timeline of Stagnation
To understand the current impasse, one must look at the timeline of administrative decisions that have led to the present conflict.
- November 2021: The Ministry of Environment issues Resolution 1256, establishing the technical and legal requirements for the reuse of treated wastewater in Colombia. This was intended to be the roadmap for projects like PTAR Salitre.
- January 2023/2024: The National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) conducts a review of the PTAR Salitre project. They determine that the existing environmental license for the plant is sufficient and that the industrial reuse pilot does not constitute a "significant change" requiring a new licensing process.
- Early 2024: Bogotá enters a state of emergency due to the El Niño Phenomenon. Reservoir levels drop to historic lows (below 16% in the Chingaza system), and Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán implements mandatory water rationing.
- Recent Days: President Petro publicly claims the project is ready to go. Natasha Avendaño responds via social media, accusing the national government of "ping-ponging" competencies between different environmental entities, leaving the EAAB in a legal limbo.
- Current Status: ANLA Director Irene Vélez reaffirms that the EAAB must simply follow the concession guidelines, while the EAAB maintains they are waiting for the formal approval of said concession to avoid legal repercussions.
Supporting Data: Technical and Environmental Context
The PTAR Salitre is not just any treatment plant; it is one of the most significant environmental investments in Colombia’s history. Located in the northwestern part of the city, it is designed to treat the wastewater of over 2 million inhabitants, cleaning the water before it is discharged into the Bogotá River.
The 77 Liters Per Second Potential
The figure of 77 liters per second (L/s) is more than just a statistic. In the context of a water crisis, every drop counts.
- Scale: 77 L/s translates to roughly 6,652,800 liters per day.
- Usage: This volume is sufficient to supply the cooling needs of several large industrial complexes or provide irrigation for extensive urban green spaces, which currently rely on potable water.
- Impact: By substituting treated wastewater for industrial processes, the city could theoretically keep more water in the reservoirs for human consumption, extending the "day zero" deadline.
Resolution 1256 of 2021
This resolution is the legal backbone of the dispute. It distinguishes between "environmental licensing" (the right to build and operate a plant) and "water concession" (the right to use or distribute the water produced). ANLA’s argument is that the license is fine, but the EAAB’s argument is that the concession is the bottleneck. According to the regulation, treated water reuse must meet strict quality standards depending on its end-use (industrial, agricultural, or urban).
Official Responses: A War of Words
The public nature of this dispute highlights the friction between the National Government (left-leaning, under Petro) and the Bogotá District Government (under Mayor Galán, represented by Avendaño).
Natasha Avendaño (EAAB General Manager)
Avendaño has been vocal in her criticism of the national government’s framing of the issue. On her X (formerly Twitter) account, she stated:
"It is false that ANLA has given ‘free passage’ for the reuse of treated wastewater… It was ANLA itself that said a concession permit process is required, which was initiated in a timely manner. At the Acueducto, we continue to wait to start the pilot amidst a ping-pong of competencies."
She emphasizes that the EAAB cannot risk operating outside the law, as doing so could result in massive fines and environmental sanctions.
Irene Vélez (Director of ANLA)
The former Minister of Mines and now head of ANLA, Irene Vélez, has taken a firm stance that the responsibility lies with the city’s water company.
"Since January [of the previous year], the entity determined that the project did not require a new environmental license or a modification of the existing one. This is a decision that should be taken now so that the El Niño Phenomenon does not bring water rationing back to the capital."
Vélez argues that the EAAB is overcomplicating the administrative requirements and that the path to implementation has been clear for over a year.
The Presidential Perspective
President Gustavo Petro has used the PTAR Salitre case to criticize what he perceives as a lack of agility in local governance. For the Petro administration, the delay is viewed as an "omission" and a "blockade" that prevented the city from being more resilient during the 2024 rationing period. The Presidency views this as a missed opportunity to integrate 77 L/s into the productive cycle when the city needed it most.
Implications: What is at Stake?
The standoff over PTAR Salitre carries implications that extend far beyond administrative paperwork.
1. Environmental Consequences
The Bogotá River remains one of the most polluted bodies of water in the world. The PTAR Salitre is a cornerstone of the river’s decontamination plan. Delays in optimizing the plant’s output mean that the circular economy—where waste becomes a resource—remains a theoretical concept rather than a practical reality. Every day the pilot is delayed is a day that industrial sectors continue to put pressure on the city’s drinking water supply.
2. Political Polarization
The conflict reflects the ongoing tension between the Casa de Nariño (Presidential Palace) and the Liévano Palace (Bogotá Mayoralty). With both sides blaming each other for the water crisis, the PTAR Salitre has become a political football. This polarization risks slowing down other vital infrastructure projects, such as the PTAR Canoas, which is even larger and more critical for the city’s future.
3. Public Trust
For the citizens of Bogotá, who have had to adapt to dry taps and scheduled rationing, the sight of high-level officials bickering over 77 liters of water per second is disheartening. It raises questions about the state’s ability to manage basic utilities during a climate crisis.
4. Economic Impact
Industries in Bogotá are facing rising costs due to water scarcity. The ability to access treated wastewater at a lower cost (or simply having a guaranteed supply) would provide much-needed stability to the manufacturing and construction sectors. The "interminable paperwork" cited by the government translates to lost economic productivity.
Conclusion: The Need for Administrative Harmony
The situation at PTAR Salitre is a microcosm of the challenges facing modern urban governance: the intersection of climate change, aging legal frameworks, and political rivalry. While ANLA insists that the "license" is not the issue, and the EAAB insists that the "concession" is the barrier, the reality is that the water is not being reused.
For Bogotá to survive future El Niño cycles, the "ping-pong of competencies" must end. A coordinated effort to finalize the concession under Resolution 1256 is the only path forward. Until then, millions of liters of treated water will continue to flow into the Bogotá River—cleaner than before, but ultimately wasted—while the city’s reservoirs remain precariously low. The "green light" claimed by the President must be matched by a "clear path" in the administrative offices of the EAAB and the Ministry of Environment.
