In terms of quality in the provision of water and sewage service in the national territory, the country still has a long way to go to improve it. This follows from the first calculation of the indicator, corresponding to the 2020 validity, which was developed by the Superintendency of Residential Public Services (Super services), and which determined that of 127 large companies (with more than 5,000 subscribers in urban areas) present in 273 municipalities or service provision areas (APS), 45% (123 PHC) were classified as high risk.
(The public services with the most increases and those with the most complaints).
Similarly, the Superservices indicator reveals that 11% (29 APS) are at medium-high risk, 20% (54 APS) at medium risk, 18% (49 APS) at medium-low risk, and only 7% (18 PHC) at low risk.
“The calculation of the first Single Sector Indicator (IUS) was determined based on the information reported or that should be reported 2,659 providers of aqueduct and/or sewage services to our Single Information System (SUI). We show that many companies did not meet this obligation and, therefore, their level of risk was classified as high or medium-high”, said Superintendent Natasha Avendaño.
The official stressed that, in the case of large companies, that is, those with more than 5,000 subscribers, they found that 67 were classified at those critical risk levels at do not provide information, even though they may perform well. Likewise, 45 companies that did report were classified with some level of risk in at least one service area.
(Resolution list that allows the reuse of wastewater).
“Our obligation is to calculate and publish the indicator for each company to determine the necessary supervisory actions; and that of the companies is to provide reliable information to reflect the reality of the sector in the country”, stressed the superintendent.
In relation to the companies that reported the information, five classified with a low risk indicator for the following municipalities or service areas, these are: Sanitary Works Company of Caldas in the APS of Risaralda, Belalcázar, Chinchiná and Marmato; and the Public Companies of Medellín (EPM) for the municipalities of Caldas, Bello, Itagüí, La Estrella, Sabaneta, Barbosa, Copacabana, Girardota and Rionegro.
Similarly, there are the Bogotá Aqueduct and Sewerage Company in the country’s capital and Gachancipá; the Aquaoccidente in Palmyra; and the Barranquilla Aqueduct, Sewerage and Cleansing Society in the municipalities of the Atlantic and Malambo regional markets.
(Colombia, it’s time for redistribution).
When publishing the first calculation of the IUS, of the aqueduct and sewage companies, the Superservices ordered the providers to comply with the reporting of mandatory information to measure its performancegiven the limited supply of figures.
The indicator classifies the level of risk, characteristics and conditions of providers based on the methodology established by the Commission for the Regulation of Potable Water and Basic Sanitation (CRA).
Likewise, it analyzes the situation of companies in 8 dimensions: service quality, efficiency in investment planning, business operation and management, financial sustainability, and rate management, among others. And it allows the superintendency to identify providers that require special or detailed surveillance to avoid risks.
“For the calculation of the IUS 2021, I urge providers to report the information in a timely manner to have more analysis tools in the evaluation of company management,” Avendaño stressed.
ALFONSO LOPEZ SUAREZ
BRIEFCASE
