Agua Somos

Project Overview

Bogota’s thirst for clean water has been growing for decades, in lock step with its population, now at more than 7 million. Most of Bogota’s water originates high above the city in Chingaza National Park. There, forests and Neotropical alpine grasslands known as paramos feed and protect the city’s main watershed, its tributaries and, ultimately, the water that flows through Bogota’s plumbing. But Chingaza, and the watersheds of Tunjuelo and Tibitoc that complete the water supply for Bogota, lack the money required to be truly protected. Forest and paramo degradation and clearing for cattle ranching and farming occurs in and around the park, and that has taken its toll on water quality. The roots of plants act as natural sieves that retain and release water. With them now gone, erosion and mudslides have resulted, harming water quality and wildlife. Over the past few decades, the sedimentation problem has been growing as the clearing of land for farm fields has increased. Agua Somos is technical and financial solution involving the private and public sector, with participation in the conservation of ecosystems responsible for production and regulation of water consumed by millions of Colombians in Bogotá and the capital region.

Beneficiaries / Outcomes

The population and sectors served include 7.2 million people, the municipal drinking water agency and a beverage bottling company.