Colombia Water and Wastewater Opportunities

Colombia’s access to urban potable water infrastructure reaches an estimated 94% of the population, and 82% have access to improved sanitation facilities. Only 73% of Colombians who receive public water services receive water of potable quality, and only 60% of the wastewater that is generated in rural areas is treated. The Municipal Services Superintendence estimates that over 40% of wastewater goes untreated due to the lack of basic treatment facilities. Therefore, the Colombian government has estimated service deficits for 3.9 million people lacking adequate services in wastewater treatment and 6.4 million lacking sewers. 

The Petro Administration has made extending and modernizing water and sanitation a priority, recently announcing significant investments in new, sustainable infrastructure at the Acodal Congress on June 7-9, 2023. This has created opportunities for U.S. companies that can provide innovative solutions to the following:

• Water treatment: Colombia faces several challenges in terms of water quality, including pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial effluents, and sewage. There is a need for water treatment technologies to improve the quality of water supplies and reduce the environmental impact of water use.
• Wastewater treatment: The majority of the country’s untreated wastewater is discharged into rivers and streams, where it can pollute the environment and pose a health risk to people and animals. There is a need for wastewater treatment technologies to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge.
• Water conservation: Colombia is a water-scarce country. There is a growing market for water conservation technologies, such as smart metering, rainwater harvesting, and water-efficient appliances.
• Water infrastructure: The country’s water infrastructure is aging and in need of repair or replacement. There is a market for innovative water infrastructure solutions, such as water reuse plants, desalination plants, and smart water networks.

The Petro Administration has set aside USD 1.8 billion in investment for this sector through 2026. Most of these investments will come from the central budget, but the government aims to attract private-sector developers with their financing options. 

If you are interested in exploring opportunities in Colombia’s water and wastewater sector, please contact Norcia Ward, Commercial Specialist at Norcia.WardMarin@trade.gov.