Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado de Bogotá (Eaab), the water and sanitation company, has successfully identified and eliminated 6,400 irregular wastewater connections that were polluting the rivers of Bogotá. This achievement surpasses the initial goal of 1,500 outlined in the District Development Plan and represents a significant step towards improving the environment cleanliness of the city’s waterways.
Irregular connections occur when wastewater pipelines are improperly connected to rainwater pipelines, leading to contaminated water being discharged into rivers and wetlands. To address this issue, Eaab implemented the plan for Identification and Correction of Irregular Connections (Picce), which aimed to identify and rectify connections previously installed in a non-technical manner by builders and informal settlements.
Under Picce, Eaab has successfully separated rainwater from wastewater in 6,400 locations across the city. This separation allows polluted water to be directed to treatment plants instead of being discharged directly into the rivers. The works carried out as part of the plan have significantly contributed to the environment cleanliness of Bogotá’s rivers, providing better conditions for the city and its inhabitants.
Cristiana Arango, manager of Eaab, expressed her satisfaction with the achievement and highlighted the positive impact on the city’s environment. She emphasised that by identifying and eliminating irregular connections, the company is actively contributing to the reduction of pollutants in the Tunjuelo and Fucha Basins, preventing network blockages, mitigating flood risks and improving drainage and wastewater infrastructure.
During a visit to the ongoing works in the town of Kennedy, she announced that 285 irregular connections would be eliminated in this area alone before the end of the year. She further revealed that Eaab had invested 8 billion pesos in identifying and eliminating irregular connections in Kennedy.
The successful closure of thousands of polluting wastewater connections is a significant accomplishment for Eaab and a testament to its commitment to environment sustainability. By addressing this issue, the company is working towards cleaner and healthier rivers in Bogotá, promoting a better quality of life for its residents.
