Context:

In Colombia, the poor coverage in wastewater plants entails a complex environment issue, because water is generally used to irrigation of agricultural crops and sometimes for human consumption in rural areas.

Objective:

To brief about wastewater basic sanitation, the treatment systems, the use of exoelectrogenic microorganisms, as well, the progress reported about the use of bioelectrochemical system and the possible implementation in Colombia.

Methodology:

The capacity and coverage of treatment systems are described by region; subsequently, present the microorganisms theorical principles that interact in bioelectrochemical system; and the uses of this technology to remove pollutants is documented, for purify pollutants.

Results:

The use of exoelectrochemical bacteria can oxidize organic pollutants present in wastewater; the bioelectrochemical systems take advantage the capacity of microorganisms to transfer electrons through an electrical circuit by means as voltage, and obtain energy by electric current or compounds with high calorific power.

Conclusions:

The Implementation of that systems in Colombia required technological, human and infrastructure investment in the main wastewater plants, according to the complex and variability of the bioelectrochemical phenomes associated with the conversion of organic matter.