Surveillance of drinking water quality in Colombia: challenges for environmental health

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the experiences of health authorities in the exercise of surveillance of drinking water quality in Colombia, with the aim of understanding the strengths and difficulties of its implementation. Methodology: the research was conducted through a qualitative study of the components of structure, processes and results of the surveillance program. A questionnaire was built using the Delphi methodology and applied to surveillance coordinators in 12 municipalities and 27 departments. Results: The results were obtained through the content analysis methodology, and three relevant issues affecting the implementation of surveillance were identified, namely: decentralization, limitations in human resources and the application of risk assessment tools. Discussion: the surveillance program in Colombia requires stronger stewardship, management capacity in the territories, the establishment of effective decentralization measures and the strengthening of governance in addition to establishing mechanisms to regulate the problem of human resources and to assess risk analysis tools and their results.