Colombian town 'most beautiful in Colombia' seeks loan to solve years-long water crisis

Barichara, a town celebrated as "the most beautiful in Colombia," is grappling with a prolonged water crisis that threatens its appeal to tourists and the health of its residents. For years, the municipality has suffered from intermittent water shortages, and recently, the water supply has been characterized by turbidity and an unpleasant odor.

Mayor Milton Chaparro has presented a proposal to the Municipal Council, seeking approval for a $4 million loan to implement a comprehensive water improvement plan. This initiative, outlined in Municipal Agreement 017, aims to provide definitive solutions to the scarcity and poor quality of the water supply.

“

We have been waiting for many years for the National Government, for the Central Government, we have already submitted several projects from this administration and previous ones, they have come to promise water, but the task is ours. Council members, the change for Barichara's water is in your hands.

Chaparro expressed frustration with the lack of support from national and central governments, stating that the responsibility for resolving the water issue now rests with local authorities. He urged council members to support the loan, emphasizing that the town's water future is in their hands. The mayor highlighted the urgency of addressing the problem, particularly before peak tourist seasons, to prevent negative impacts on the local economy.

The proposed $4 million loan is earmarked for several key projects. Approximately $2.5 million will go towards optimizing the water treatment plant in both urban and rural areas. An additional $540 million is allocated for distributing 1,000 filters to rural households. The plan also includes constructing rainwater storage tanks in rural areas and strengthening existing rural aqueducts to expand coverage and ensure access for families currently lacking reliable water supply.

“

I want to address three council members who are part of or in charge of the budget. In previous days, the community spoke out requesting actions for the quality and quantity of water. I ask this commission to engage in dialogue to reach what our municipality requires regarding water. Let us understand the situation.