The Bogotá River is the main body of water that runs through our city. It provides us with water, energy, landscapes, biodiversity but above all it allows us to keep Bogotá clean. However, it comes with a price, and the thoughtless use of its resources has completely destroyed all wildlife and vegetation and the water is highly polluted.

Today on River Bogotá Day, we sadly wish to draw your attention to the effect that this has on the people who depend on its water for drinking, cooking, bathing, watering crops and recreation.

The River Bogotá flows through 46 municipalities. Its source is in the Paramo of Guachaneque in Villapinzon, a municipality with a population of 19,742. It then runs through Chocontá (population: 25,257); Suesca (population: 17,318); Sesquilé (population: 13,936); Gachancipá (population: 14,442); Tocancipá (population:31,975); Cajicá (population: 56,875) and Chia (population: 145,752).

The river serves as a sewer for over 8 million people of the city of Bogotá and its tributaries, Salitre, Fucha and Tunjuelo.  Furthermore, millions of gallons of industrial waste also pour into it. There is a Wastewater Treatment Plant (PTAR) that is unable to cope and the heavily polluted water continues to flow downstream.

After crossing Bogotá it runs through the municipalities of San Antonio de Tequendama, (population: 13,048); Tena, (population: 8,941); Mesa, (population: 31,350); El Colegio, (population: 21,832); Anapoima, (population: 12,241); Tocaima, (population: 13,649); Agua de Dios, (population: 10,742); Ricaurte, (population:10,788) and Girardot, (population: 101,018). The contaminated waters then flow into the magnificent River Magdalena.

Because the state of the River Bogotá directly affects the lives of millions of people, we ask you to help monitor what goes into the sewage system. Here are some tips to help save our river and to improve the quality of life of the millions of people:

• Use organic soaps and detergents
• Do not pour oil into the drains; keep in bottles that you can bring to school
• Share this information with everyone you know
• Push the authorities concerned, to build a new Wastewater Treatment Plant

If you have any other ideas concerning the care of the River Bogotá and the people who depend on it please write to ana.acosta@sgs.edu.co

 

   Research carried out by the SGS ECO-Committee