The Inter-American Development Bank has announced a US$25 million loan to be used to finance improvements in drinking water service to 60% of households in the metropolitan area of Santiago. Some 329,000 people are expected to benefit, the IDB reports. Javier Grau Benaiges is the IDB project team leader.
In recent years the continuity of potable water supply services in Santiago has been affected by strong population growth in peri-urban areas, particularly in the areas of higher elevation, due to, among other factors, increased immigration from other areas of the country.
The project aims to improve the energy efficiency of water service operators and overall management of the service through investments in infrastructure and institutional strengthening support to CORAASAN (Water and Sewerage Corporation of Santiago).
The project components include implementing better pumping systems, network sectorization, pipe replacement, improved feedback systems, and support to service governance with corporate governance programs and information systems, among others.
The loan is for 25 years, with a grace period of 5.5 years and an interest rate based on Libor.
www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-11-21/clean-water-and-sanitation-in-dominican-republic,10229.html