Amidst a water crisis affecting the country’s reservoirs, Colombia has emerged as the world’s top water consumer, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). With a per capita consumption of 1,988 cubic meters annually, Colombia surpasses the OECD average of 738 cubic meters by nearly threefold.
This excessive consumption raises concerns about water extraction and usage practices in Colombia. Julián Segura, director of the environmental and energy area at the Universidad Ean, highlights agriculture, livestock, domestic use, and fish farming as the primary contributors to this high consumption. While sectors like construction and services exhibit lower consumption, it’s crucial to note that other countries also show significant consumption. Peru ranks second, followed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, Greece, Turkey, and Estonia. Mexico, facing its own water stress crisis, falls further down the ranking.
Colombia’s Water Consumption: A Call for Action
The country’s high water consumption underscores the urgent need for more efficient and sustainable water resource management. This situation not only impacts water availability for current generations but also poses significant challenges in the context of climate change and natural resource scarcity.