Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) has penalized 96,000 residents for exceeding water consumption limits in an effort to manage the water supply crisis exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon. This represents a significant increase from the initial 41,000 penalized households.
The penalties are in accordance with regulations set by the Regulation Commission for Potable Water and Basic Sanitation (CRA), which limits residential water consumption to 26 cubic meters per month. Residents exceeding this limit face higher charges.
EPM initially imposed the penalties in February for the areas of Barbosa, San Cristóbal, and Caldas. Decreased water flow in the region has led to an expansion of the policy since April 1st, now affecting additional neighborhoods within Medellín.
While recent rainfall has offered some relief, EPM emphasizes that reservoir recovery is slower than expected. Continued water conservation will remain essential in the coming months.