Colombian Town Defies Coca-Cola Femsa Over Water Rights

The Lead

In a significant victory for environmental activism, the town of La Calera in Colombia has successfully challenged the water extraction practices of Coca-Cola Femsa, leading to a substantial reduction in the company's water concession.

The Event Details

La Calera, a town near Bogotá, faced severe drought and water rationing due to a particularly extreme El Niño weather pattern that depleted the Chingaza reservoir system to 15% of its capacity. Amidst this crisis, residents discovered that Indega, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Femsa, was extracting thousands of liters of water daily for its Agua Manantial spring water brand. The company's water usage was especially contentious given that it paid only 120 pesos per cubic meter, while local households were charged between 697 and 3,720 pesos.

The Data Analysis

The stark contrast in water pricing between Coca-Cola Femsa's subsidiary and local households fueled outrage. For instance:

• Coca-Cola Femsa's Indega paid 120 pesos per cubic meter of water.
• Households in La Calera were charged between 697 and 3,720 pesos per cubic meter.

The Impact Analysis

The community's campaign, led by activists like Javier Cifuentes and Herminia Cristancho, not only highlighted the inequity but also faced intimidation and death threats. Their efforts culminated in the local authorities slashing Indega's water concession to its lowest level since it began in the 1980s in April 2024.

The Prediction

This victory sets a precedent for water rights activism in Latin America. As climate change intensifies extreme weather patterns, communities are likely to increasingly challenge corporate water usage. The success of La Calera's campaign may inspire similar actions across the region, pushing for more equitable and sustainable water management practices.