How to keep Venezuela’s diaspora in Colombia safe?
Colombia’s new government proposes tax reform to finance...
Peace talks with Colombia’s ELN guerrillas ‘about to...
Colombia’s largest paramilitary group announces unilateral ceasefire
The men and women who will govern Colombia...
Gustavo Petro sworn in as Colombia’s new president
Colombia to seek decriminalization of drugs despite US...
Colombia’s failing state | Part 6: indigenous under...
How serious is Colombia’s president-elect about fighting corruption?
How violent Colombia became while Duque was in...
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
News

Steel company has water use restricted as Colombia’s largest lake nears record-low levels

by Daniel Medendorp Escobar June 4, 2014

The regional corporation in charge of water distribution in a central Colombian state restricted water use for a steel company, as the water level in Colombia’s largest lake approaches a record-low level, reports national media.

The Boyaca Autonomous Regional Corporation, in charge of water distribution in the central Colombian state of Boyaca, restricted the supply of water for steel manufacturer, Acerias Paz de Rio, by 80%, as the water level in Lake Tota is 15.7 inches from registering a record low.

The low level is being blamed on the El Niño weather phenomenon, as well as overuse of water from onion farming that surrounds the area around the lake.

Steel company responds

Acerias Paz de Rio is the second-largest steel manufacturer in Colombia, and is responsible for much of the steel production in the South American country, reported El Espectador.

While the steel company stated that the measure would result in the loss of millions of dollars, the Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) told local governments to obey recommendations, implement actions and contingency plans to avoid water shortages during the dry season, according to national radio station Caracol Radio.

A lake in danger

Lake Tota, in the central Colombian state of Boyaca, is Colombia’s largest natural lake, and is an important tourist attraction for the state of Boyaca. It has been identified as an ecosystem in danger, as a multitude of factors deprive the lake of its water and cleanliness.

MORE: Colombia’s largest lake deemed one of the most threatened

Onion crops, trout-farming, and sewage from the four surrounding municipalities and steel-manufacturing have affected the level and quality of the water. 

Boyaca’s tourist website describes the lake as, “undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural places in Boyaca.”

However, 95% of the cultivable land in the basin of this “beautiful environment” is carpeted with crops of onions which comprise 90% of all the onions consumed in Colombia. The pungent vegetables not only add a distinctive flavor to the air, they also have a more sinister effect on South America’s second highest lake.

Sources

  • Restringen uso de agua del Lago de Tota a empresa siderúrgica (El Espectador)
  • Se restringió el suministro de agua para Acerías Paz del Río en Boyacá (Caracol Radio)
BoyacaEl Niñoenvironmentsteel

Trending

  • Colombia to seek decriminalization of drugs despite US objections

  • Medellin’s secret history of violence against women and girls

  • How serious is Colombia’s president-elect about fighting corruption?

Related articles

  • COP26: Colombia vows to protect 30% of national territory before 2023

  • Southwest Colombia world’s most dangerous place for environmental activists: report

  • Colombia’s indigenous urge action after wave of death threats

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top