Study to improve the rain sewage system in Barranquilla

(Bogota, February 7th, 2014).- CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, announced its financial and technical support to the city of Barranquillas to prepare the feasibility studies of the rain water sewage system of the western basin, to complement those carried out for the city's eastern basin, and solve the problem that has been present for decades as a result of the lack of an adequate rain sewage system. 

In order to project future investments aimed at the construction of a rain sewage system that solves the problems of urban flooding in Barranquillas, urban, technical, financial, social, and environmental criteria will be identified to guide the preparation and development of the Strategic Plan for the sewage system of the city's western basin and of the future Rain Sewage Master Plan. 

L. Victor Traverso, CAF's Director Representative in Colombia, when referring to the construction and rehabilitation works in Barranquillas, stated that "the urban flooding problem in constantly growing in most of the cities of Latin America, mainly as a result of the occupation of risk areas and the lack of infrastructure. It is for this reason that CAF prioritizes its support to this type of projects that are aimed at the development of green, inclusive, and sustainable cities. " 

In addition, the strategic plan that will be delivered in seven months will be focused on planning for the future development of the expansion area of the western basin of Barranquillas, the preparation of regulatory guidelines for the city's urban, productive, and environmental development, and the control of informal settlements. 

Finally, CAF will conduct a cycle of conferences in Barranquillas regarding the Comprehensive Management of Urban Flooding, with experts invited from Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Panama, where the challenges of urban flooding and the best practices to confront them will be debated.