Modelo de gerencia para la reducción de costos en el acceso a la concesión de aguas por parte de los acueductos rurales

Abstract

This master’s thesis presents a management model aimed at reducing costs in accessing water use permits (water concessions) for rural aqueducts in Colombia. The study emerges from the challenges faced by organized rural communities, where a high percentage of aqueducts systems operate without the required water concession permits, exposing them to legal sanctions and restrictions in accessing public resources. Using a mixed-methods approach — including expert interviews, surveys applied to community organizations, and documentary analysis — the research identified the mail factors hindering the acquisition of water use permits: high costs, procedural complexity, and limited technical capacity within rural communities. As a result, a management model was designed, integrating project management methodologies, Lean principles, and risk management strategies to simplify the water concession process and reduce associated times and costs. The proposal includes an optimized process flow diagram, a risk matrix with mitigation measures, and the creation of a community-based water governance training program aimed at strengthening institutional capacities. The study concludes that implementing this model can significantly improve the formalización of rural aqueduct systems, enhance service quality, and promote water sustainability in underserved areas. Additionally, it provides practical inputs for the formulation of differentiated public policies that guarantee equitable access to water resources in Colombia’s rural territories.