CO · Expiry & renewal tracking
Renew your discharge permit within the first quarter of its final year
Colombia's environmental authority grants the discharge permit for no more than ten years (Article 2.2.3.3.5.7 of Decreto 1076 de 2015). The holder requests renewal within the first quarter of the last year of validity (Article 2.2.3.3.5.10); discharging after expiry exposes it to the sanctions of Ley 1333 de 2009.
Any natural or legal person whose activity or service generates discharges into surface waters, marine waters or soil must apply to the competent environmental authority for the corresponding discharge permit (permiso de vertimientos) (Article 2.2.3.3.5.1 of Decreto 1076 de 2015). The authority, based on the classification of waters, the evaluation of the information filed, technical visits and the technical report, grants or refuses the permit by resolution, and grants it for a term of no more than ten (10) years (Article 2.2.3.3.5.7). The resolution states, among other things, the discharge standard to be met, the technical conditions of the discharge and the term for which the permit is granted (Article 2.2.3.3.5.8).
Renewal applications must be filed with the environmental authority within the first quarter of the last year of the permit's validity, and the procedure is completed before expiry. Renewal follows the procedure laid down for granting; if there are no changes in the activity generating the discharge, it depends only on verifying compliance with the discharge standard through characterisation of the discharge (Article 2.2.3.3.5.10). Permits must be reviewed and, where appropriate, adjusted in line with the Water Resource Management Plan (Article 2.2.3.3.5.11), and modifications or changes in the permit's conditions require notifying the authority and, where applicable, requesting a modification (Article 2.2.3.3.5.9).
Breach of the terms, conditions and obligations of the discharge permit, the Compliance Plan or the Discharge Sanitation and Management Plan gives rise to preventive measures and sanctions under the procedure of Ley 1333 de 2009 (Article 2.2.3.3.5.19). The air emissions permit and the water concession are separate authorisations, each with its own term.
At a glance
| Who needs it | Anyone whose activity generates discharges into surface waters, marine waters or soil (Article 2.2.3.3.5.1 of Decreto 1076 de 2015) |
|---|---|
| Who grants it | The competent environmental authority, by resolution (Article 2.2.3.3.5.7) |
| Validity | As set in the resolution, for a term of no more than ten (10) years (Articles 2.2.3.3.5.7 and 2.2.3.3.5.8(8)) |
| Renewal application | Within the first quarter of the last year of validity (Article 2.2.3.3.5.10) |
| Renewal procedure | Same as for granting; with no change in the activity, only discharge characterisation (Article 2.2.3.3.5.10) |
| Changes | Changes in conditions require notification and a permit modification request (Article 2.2.3.3.5.9) |
| Review | In line with the Water Resource Management Plan (Article 2.2.3.3.5.11) |
| If breached | Preventive measures and sanctions under the procedure of Ley 1333 de 2009 (Article 2.2.3.3.5.19) |
Ten years is the legal maximum; each permit's actual term is the one stated in its granting resolution (Article 2.2.3.3.5.8(8)).
Who is responsible?
The permit holder: the natural or legal person to whom it was granted, identified in the resolution together with the property, project, works or activity generating the discharge (Article 2.2.3.3.5.8(1) and (2) of Decreto 1076 de 2015). The holder files the renewal application in the first quarter of the last year (Article 2.2.3.3.5.10) and answers for compliance with the discharge standard and the permit's obligations (Article 2.2.3.3.5.19).
If the deadline passes
Article 2.2.3.3.5.10 of Decreto 1076 de 2015 requires renewal to be requested within the first quarter of the last year of validity and the procedure to be completed before expiry. A discharge that continues after the permit has expired is made without a valid permit, contrary to Article 2.2.3.3.5.1, exposing the holder to the preventive measures and sanctions of the Ley 1333 de 2009 regime (Article 2.2.3.3.5.19). If the application is filed after the first quarter but before expiry, the authority decides under the ordinary procedure, with no guarantee that the permit will be renewed by the expiry date.
The renewal window is the first quarter of the final year
Unlike other permits, the deadline here is not counted back from expiry: the application is filed within the first quarter of the last year of validity (Article 2.2.3.3.5.10 of Decreto 1076 de 2015). For a permit expiring on 31 December that means between 1 January and 31 March of that year; for one expiring on another date, the first three months of the final year counted from the grant. That is why the catalogue sets a 365-day advance notice.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each discharge permit as a record, with the resolution number and the environmental authority, and enter as the expiry date the one stated in the granting act or the latest renewal.
- Because the catalogue sets a 365-day advance notice for this document, the first reminder arrives at the start of the final year of validity, when the quarter for requesting renewal opens; the others arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day.
- The environmental team can upload the renewal filing receipt and, later, the granting resolution through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account; then update the date to the new validity.
- Assign the environmental management team as responsible; if the date passes without renewal, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does the discharge permit last?
- The term set in the granting resolution, which may not exceed ten (10) years (Articles 2.2.3.3.5.7 and 2.2.3.3.5.8 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
- When is renewal requested?
- Within the first quarter of the permit's last year of validity; the procedure is completed before expiry (Article 2.2.3.3.5.10 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
- Does renewal repeat the whole procedure?
- It follows the procedure for granting, but if there are no changes in the discharging activity it depends only on verifying compliance with the discharge standard through characterisation (Article 2.2.3.3.5.10 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
- Who needs a discharge permit?
- Any natural or legal person whose activity or service generates discharges into surface waters, marine waters or soil (Article 2.2.3.3.5.1 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
- What happens if I breach the permit?
- Breach of its terms, conditions and obligations gives rise to preventive measures and sanctions under the procedure of Ley 1333 de 2009 (Article 2.2.3.3.5.19 of Decreto 1076 de 2015).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 14, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
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