Urban Water in Colombia

According to the 2013 Census, the population of Colombia that year was 48,321,405, an increase of 616,978 inhabitants versus 2012 when the population was 47,704,427 persons. There are more women than men, with a split of 50.83% (64,562,767 women) /49.16% (23,758,638 men). The population density is moderate with 42 inhabitants/sq. km. and Colombia is the 57th most densely populated country. The country’s geographic location, its variable topography and its climate make it one of the countries with the best water supply on the planet, although it is not distributed evenly across its whole territory. Its volume is more than 2,000 cubic km/year averaging 57,000 cubic meters/inhabitant/year. It is estimated that in 2011 potable water reached between 87.3% and 96% of urban areas while reaching only 56.3% of rural areas. It is estimated that the rate of wastewater created by the urban centers and subsequently released into bodies of water is 67 cubic meters/s. The most common water transmitted illnesses are dengue, malaria and diarrhea. Colombia’s water problem is not its quantity, but rather its quality, given its improper use. Also, rubbish and garbage dumped directly into the water sources or along their banks or shores is a frequent source of pollution in many areas of the country.