WASHINGTON, July 2, 2018 – The World Bank Board of Directors approved a new loan for US$ 233.6 million for the Guayaquil Wastewater Management Project, which is in addition to the initial financing of US$ 102.5 million approved in 2015.
The financing for the Guayaquil Municipal Water and Sanitation Company (EMAPAG-EP) will help expand sanitation services to the northeastern part of the city and reduce water pollution in vulnerable sectors.
Ecuadorian Finance Minister Richard Martínez said that “this additional financing, which has a loan guarantee from the national government, is an example of the Ministry’s commitment to local governments and projects in key areas such as water and sanitation, which directly affect the quality of life of the population.”
The new funds will be used to build the Los Merinos Treatment Plant, which will benefit approximately one million people. Additionally, the project will install 4,000 household connections and will build a sewage network to connect over 7,000 additional households.
The project will also install equipment along the Daule River and the Estero Salado to monitor water quality in real time. The Daule River is the main source of potable water for Guayaquil and other urban areas. This activity is the first step in establishing a comprehensive monitoring system, which can include equipment from other urban areas.
“The additional financing will contribute to the plan to provide universal coverage of sanitation and wastewater treatment services in Guayaquil, which will especially benefit vulnerable sectors in the northeastern part of the city. These resources will also contribute to improving the city’s environmental conditions,” said Alberto Rodríguez, World Bank Director for the Andean countries.
Guayaquil Mayor Jaime Nebot said that “the funds approved by the World Bank will enable us to consolidate the work we have started to ensure that the city has a comprehensive, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system to achieve a healthy environment and a better quality of life.”
The project will end in April 2023. The loan maturity period is 35 years, with a grace period of 15 years.
--------------------------
Website: www.worldbank.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldbank
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/worldbank
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/worldbank
