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Colombia

Project without sewer connection in Colombia: how to start.

In Colombia the regulations expressly allow on-site solutions where there is no sewer system, for homes, other buildings and facilities. With the basic data on the site and the project, we carry out an initial assessment; the final solution is then developed with the appropriate professionals and permits. This page is general guidance and does not replace legal advice.

Legal framework reviewed on 1 October 2026
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Common practice today

What exists in Colombia where there is no sewer connection.

On-site sanitation is part of Colombia's technical regulations. The standard prefers a septic tank with a filter and complementary treatment, and allows other technology if it achieves at least the same efficiency.

What AQUATO does differently

Legal framework

What applies in Colombia.

  • Decreto 1077 of 2015: alternative solutions in rural areas

    Where no water supply or sewer system is available, homes, other infrastructure and facilities may use alternative solutions that comply with the technical regulations (RAS). The certification is issued by the municipality (text amended by Decreto 1688 of 2020).

    Source: Decreto 1077 of 2015, Función Pública

  • Resolución 844 of 2018: other technology with equivalent efficiency

    For individual rural solutions, septic tanks with an anaerobic filter and complementary treatment are to be used preferentially. A different technology must guarantee at least equivalent efficiencies (art. 46).

    Source: Resolución 844 of 2018, CRA

  • Resolución 0330 of 2017: RAS technical regulations

    Sets out the preliminary studies and the design of septic tanks, anaerobic filters and complementary treatment such as infiltration, intermittent filters and constructed wetlands (arts. 171 to 180).

    Source: Resolución 0330 of 2017 (RAS), CRA

  • Decreto 1076 of 2015: treatment and discharge permit

    Every building or urban or tourism development outside the public sewer system must have its own treatment and a discharge permit from the environmental authority (arts. 2.2.3.3.4.10 and 2.2.3.3.5.1). Only scattered rural housing is exempt.

    Source: Decreto 1076 of 2015, Función Pública

  • Resolución 699 of 2021: discharges into the soil

    Sets the limits for infiltrating treated domestic wastewater, the percolation test and the monitoring frequency, depending on the type of user.

    Source: Resolución 699 of 2021, CRA

The route

From the site to the approved plant.

The usual sequence, from the site to the plant in operation.

  1. 01

    Basic data and preliminary assessment

    Using the checklist below, Ektennsa and AQUATO look at the capacity, which system suits the project (PUMP, STABI-KOM or ORKA), where it goes and where the treated water will be discharged.

  2. 02

    Land use and design according to RAS

    The curaduría urbana or the planning office issues the land use opinion (concepto de uso del suelo). Your professionals design the solution according to the RAS, with a site visit, a percolation test and AQUATO's technical documentation; the municipality certifies the solution.

  3. 03

    Building licence

    The curaduría urbana or the municipality grants the building licence; for a subdivision, also the subdivision licence (licencia de parcelación) with proof that the services will be self-supplied.

  4. 04

    Discharge permit

    The competent environmental authority, usually the Corporación Autónoma Regional, processes the permit to infiltrate or discharge the treated water under Decreto 1076.

To get started

This information is enough for an initial assessment.

Leave blank anything you do not have yet. Nothing more is needed to get started.

  • Location

    Department, municipality, vereda and coordinates

  • Site

    Area and certificate of title (certificado de tradición y libertad)

  • Project

    Type of project and number of homes, units or facilities

  • Users

    Approximate number of users and expected peak occupancy

  • Sanitation

    Is there a sewer system nearby? Is a connection possible?

  • Ground conditions

    Soil, slope, groundwater level, percolation test

  • Available documents

    Land use opinion, site plan, topographic survey

  • Treated water

    Infiltration into the soil or discharge into a body of water

First step

Tell us what you want to develop.

With the basic details of the site and the project, Ektennsa and AQUATO carry out an initial assessment.

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or directly: WhatsApp · contacto@ektennsa.com