Santa Marta Gripped by Water Crisis During Tourist Season

Santa Marta is facing a critical water shortage during its peak tourist season, leaving many neighborhoods without water for up to 15 days. The city, a popular destination for thousands of tourists annually, is grappling with a severe supply crisis as rivers that feed its water system experience historically low levels.

The Empresa de Servicios Públicos del Distrito (Essmar), the company responsible for water services, admits it cannot meet demand. The Manzanares River, a primary source, has seen its flow reduced by over 70 percent, while the Piedras River has decreased by approximately 30 percent. These reduced levels make it impossible to supply the entire city.

Desperate residents have taken to the streets to protest the lack of water, which has become a social emergency affecting families, businesses, hotels, and tourists. In areas like the university corridor, where service has been absent for nearly half a month, residents blocked the main avenue, causing significant traffic disruptions. Protesters expressed their inability to perform basic household tasks.

The water scarcity is also impacting Santa Marta's vital tourism industry. Hotel operators report that difficulties in obtaining water are beginning to affect their operations just as visitor numbers are increasing. The situation has led to calls for Essmar to be returned to district management, as citizens and businesses demand urgent solutions.

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We can't take it anymore. We don't know how to do household chores. To bathe and attend to basic needs.