Quito authorities clean streams to mitigate El Niño flood risks

The Municipality of Quito and the Metropolitan Public Company of Drinking Water and Sanitation (Epmaps) are conducting maintenance and cleaning on hundreds of streams to prepare for the rainy season and the El Niño phenomenon.

Authorities are performing technical inspections using drone flights and ground patrols to identify debris, sediment, and fallen trees that obstruct water flow. While Epmaps maintains 146 infrastructures across 105 streams, the city identifies 113 specific streams as critical under the Plan de Eventos Climáticos.

These interventions aim to prevent landslides and ensure that water from the highlands flows safely into the drainage system. In specific areas like the Jerusalén and El Tejar streams, municipal crews removed domestic waste, abandoned furniture, and construction debris. In the Navarro Sur stream, teams are clearing vegetation and slopes to prevent mudslides.

These actions are part of a broader strategy to manage the risks posed by heavy rains, which can transport sediment and waste from upper basins into urban areas. Risk management expert Christian Rivera notes that urban expansion has reduced the land's natural ability to absorb water, increasing runoff into streets and streams. The city has identified 321 neighborhoods with high or moderate susceptibility to floods and mass movements.

The current prevention plan involves a planned investment of 55 million dollars for the 2024 to 2026 period, with more than 42 million dollars already spent on execution.