Waterweek®      

In the first reported terrorist attack on a major water supply facility since Sept.11, Colombian rebels in January damaged a gate valve in the dam that supplies most of Bogota’s drinking water, according to international news reports. As reported by the Financial Times and by Colombia’s Caracol Radio the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), detonated an explosive device planted on a German-made gate valve located inside a tunnel in the Chingaza Dam, which provides most of the capital city’s water.

Bogota officials said repairs would require water service to be stopped but would not take place until after the rainy season and the arrival of manufacturer technicians. Mayor Antana Mockus stepped up security at the dam and other critical infrastructure, which FARC has been attacking during a recent offensive that coincides with government efforts to negotiate peace with the military wing of the Colombian Communist Party.