On late April 2023, the World Bank approved a $100 million loan to support the water supply reliability and quality in El Salvador; this financing is aim to help improve the quality and reliability of water supply services in selected areas of the country.
The World Bank informed that the loan was approved with a 25-year maturity that includes a five-year grace period; furthermore, it also incorporates measures to prepare for natural disasters.
The project will primarily concentrate on improving the water supply in the municipalities of San Salvador, Apopa, Ciudad Delgado, Cuscatancingo, Ayutuxtepeque, and Soyapango, which rely on the Torogoz water treatment plant for their water needs.
SEE ALSO: Water Pollution in El Salvador. Getting Worse Every Year
In addition to the water supply and quality improvements, the loan will also support the modernization efforts of the National Administration of Aqueducts and Sewers (ANDA) to enhance supply and sanitation.
We are pleased with the support of the World Bank with a focus on climate change and resilience to advance access and sustainable management of limited water resources. Minister of Finance, Alejandro Zelaya.
With this project, consumers will receive higher-quality water supply services through a more reliable, continuous, and higher-pressure supply, which will contribute to improving people’s health and economic well-being.
World Bank.
“We consider this vitally important to work for Salvadoran families exposed to droughts, storms and floods who suffer continuously from the interruption of their water services,” stated Carine Clert, the World Bank’s manager for El Salvador and Costa Rica.
ANDA’s president Ruben Aleman stated in a TV interview that one of the most important challenges is how the institution will respond to climate change; since a part of the loan, investment will focus on that area.
SEE ALSO: The trash problem in El Salvador. It can’t be ignored anymore!
Aleman indicated an example of the rains reported in the middle of April 2023, which caused flooding in several points, in addition to fallen trees, caused electrical failures in some systems.
“A couple of weeks ago, we were able to see a phenomenon in which it rained for 30-40 minutes and wreaked havoc for us,” said ANDA’s president Ruben Aleman.
