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Colombian Town Fights Coca-Cola for Water Access
21 Jun
Summary
- Coca-Cola subsidiary's water permit renewed with stricter limits.
- Residents faced daily water cuts while the plant operated.
- Company paid significantly less for water than households did.
A Coca-Cola bottling subsidiary in La Calera, Colombia, has had its water extraction permit renewed by the regional autonomous corporation (CAR) with significantly stricter conditions. This decision follows months of legal organizing and public pressure from local residents who faced severe water rationing during a punishing drought in 2024. While households were subjected to monthly water cuts lasting up to 15 days, the Indega subsidiary continued to draw water from local springs to bottle and sell as Agua Manantial.
The renewed permit imposes a lower extraction allowance, reducing it from 3.23 liters per second to 1.9 liters per second. Furthermore, the number of available springs has been cut from seven to four, and the concession term shortened from 10 years to five. Crucially, the permit now includes provisions for suspension during severe droughts, a response to the community's concerns.
Campaigners also highlighted a stark economic disparity, noting that Indega paid only 120 pesos per cubic meter for water, while households paid considerably more, with prices ranging from 697 to 3,720 pesos depending on income. Despite some residents supporting the plant due to job provision and community projects, critics viewed these efforts as reputation management. The struggle took place in a country known for threats against environmental defenders, with campaign leaders reporting harassment.
