Colombia
Water Issues
Colombia has a rich supply of hydrologic resources including average annual rain fall levels more than three times greater than the global average and almost twice as great as the average for South America. However, according to the World Health Organization, the municipalities that control the water supply process suffer from weak management that has resulted in both high water loss rates during the distribution phase (due to leaking, etc…) and a progressive decline in water quality; this situation is aggravated by subsidies water rates that do not accurately represent real costs. Untreated effluents also present a problem. Like other countries in the region, Colombia has recently privatized its water supply in certain regions and the continued debate over water privatization will have a profound effect on Colombia’s future with regards to water resource management.
This information gathered from a report created by the Pan-American Health Organization, which can be found here: http://www.cepis.org.pe/bvsarg/e/fulltext/infcol/infcol.pdf
Water Legislation
Normatividad sobre el Medio Ambiente Ley N° 9 de 1979 Last Amended/Revised: 1997 Description: A national law that legislated on environmental protection in general; water supply; workers health; construction, food and drug industry sanitary regulations; epidemics; hazards; handling of corpses; home use utensils; and health rights.
Created: 1984 Description: Reglamenta parcialmente Ley Nº 9 de 1979 y el Decreto Ley Nº 2811 de 1974, en cuanto a usos del agua y residuos líquidos. Abstract: El presente Decreto dispone que para destinar las aguas en forma genérica a los diferentes usos, se deberá desarrollar un plan de ordenamiento del recurso por parte de las Entidades encargadas del manejo y administración del recurso (EMAR) o del Ministerio de Salud en donde aquellas no existan. Cuando el presente Decreto se refiera a recurso, se entenderá por tal las aguas superficiales, subterráneas, marinas y estuarinas, incluidas las aguas servidas. Los criterios de calidad establecidos son guías para ser utilizados como base de decisión en el ordenamiento, asignación de usos al recurso y determinación de las características del agua para cada uso.
Created: 2000
Created: 2005
Other Important Environmental Legislation
Código Nacional de Recursos Naturales Renovables y de Protección al Medio Decreto N° 2811 Created: 1974 Last Amended/Revised: 2004
Ley General Ambiental de Colombia Ley N° 99 de 1993
For a more environmental legislation in Colombia, see: http://www.ideam.gov.co/legal/decretos/1970/index4.htm
|
©
2005 Office for Sustainable Development and Environment -
Organization of American States. All
Rights Reserved. |