Assessment and Response to Water Stress in Bogotá: A Multidimensional Analysis

The city of Bogotá is currently facing a water crisis marked by a worrying drop in the levels of the watershed subsystems that supply more than eight million people. This situation is exacerbated by population growth, climate change, deforestation, and poor water resource management. This research analyzes the current situation of water management in Bogotá based on hydrometeorological data, demographic forecasts, and surveys of citizen perception and adaptation to different measures, such as rationing. It highlights the high dependence on the spatial analysis highlights the high dependence on the areas primarily supplied by the Chingaza system presented higher vulnerability due to their dependence on a single supply source, as well as the evident impact of the El Niño phenomenon and the limited implementation of structural measures by the population. The results show that most people resort to immediate and cost-effective solutions, postponing the implementation of long-term sustainable strategies. Similarly, rationing affected different aspects of the daily routine of a large part of Bogotá’s population. Thus, this study highlights the need to strengthen water infrastructure, improve environmental education, and promote comprehensive public policies that ensure the sustainability of a resource as indispensable as water.