Safe Drinking Water for Up to 14,000 People Following Colombia Earthquake
Planet Water Foundation has provided access to safe drinking water for up to 14,000 people following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026. The earthquake caused extensive damage to homes, schools, roads, and essential infrastructure across the region, disrupting water supplies and leaving vulnerable communities in urgent need of support.
Our Disaster Response team arrived in Colombia on August 21 and worked with local authorities and community leaders to assess needs and identify deployment locations.
Between August 27 and September 6, we deployed water filtration systems at five sites across affected communities: El Caimalito, Pereira: At Instituto Educativo La Carbonera, providing safe drinking water access to a neighborhood of approximately 1,500 people, many of them children. La Italia, San José del Palmar: At Normal Superior La Inmaculada school, supporting a community near the earthquake’s epicenter where landslides and communication disruptions complicated access. Arabia, Pereira: At the local police station, providing a central collection point for a community reliant on inadequately treated water. El Billar, Ansermanuevo: At the local police station, supporting residents who previously depended on untreated water and frequently experienced waterborne illnesses. Kemberde, Pueblo Rico: At Indigenous School T.A. Dachi Dada Kera, which serves as the main water source for local families.
The response deployed AquaTower and AquaBlock water filtration systems to address urgent drinking water needs while helping communities facing longstanding water challenges. “For the 20 years I have lived here, the water has never been potable, and people in the community have become sick. This equipment will help us prevent illnesses and move forward. It is a beautiful gesture, especially for the children at the school,” shared El Caimalito resident Aliris Andrea Montoya Meza.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners Alsea Foundation, BD, Ingersoll Rand, The Starbucks Foundation, Trébola, and Xylem for making this response possible and helping families access safe drinking water as they recover and rebuild.
Video
Colombia Earthquake Response: News Report
Watch the news report on our response to the earthquake in Colombia.
Report
Colombia Earthquake Response: Summary Report
Our full summary of our response to the earthquake in Colombia: where we worked, the impact we made, and the partners who made it possible.
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Learn more about Planet Water Foundation’s work to provide safe drinking water to underserved communities and those affected by natural disasters.
