OSE will develop Arroyo Casupa Dam Project with CAF's support

OSE (State Sanitary Works) and CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, signed a technical cooperation agreement with the objective of preparing the studies to carry out the Basic Project of the Arroyo Casupa Dam. The purpose is to increase water reserves to supply the city of Montevideo and neighboring areas, and reduce the vulnerability of the metropolitan system of gross waste waters.  

With these non-reimbursable resources that amount to EURO 1.35 million, the OSE will develop the preliminary plans and bidding documents for the bid required by the work.  

Gladis Genua, CAF's Director Representative in the country, highlighted, "The support provided to materialize this credit is framed within the objective of contributing permanently to strengthen Uruguay's public services, thus collaborating with the improvement of the quality of life of its inhabitants". 

Thus, CAF is channeling resources from the European Union, through agreements between the Institution and KfW Entwicklungsbank (German Development Bank), with the objective of promoting projects that favor sustainable development and regional integration.  

Ing. Milton Machado, President of OSE, stated, "this is a very important project, as it includes the two aspects: care and quality". He added that having an alternative source is essential to supply one of the most populated areas of the country. "Today we depend on the Paso Severino Dam. This plan includes the construction of a dam in the El Soldado River and the rehabilitation of the dam in the Canelon Grande River". 

He also highlighted the good relationship with CAF and the Institution's contribution so that the organization may continue advancing in the construction of a dam in the Casupa River. This is part of an investment plan that OSE intends to implement in the upper third of the Santa Lucia River to ensure the provision of potable water in Montevideo and its metropolitan area until 2045. 

In addition, and as part of the support to the potable water and sanitation sector, two years ago CAF approved a loan for USD 100 million to partially finance the program Improvement and Rehabilitation of OSE's Potable Water and Sanitation Systems, and before that, work was carried put in other sanitation projects such as the project Treatment and Final Disposal of Waste Waters of the Maldonado System - Punta del Este. 

Genua stated, "With the kick-start we are giving to this project, we foresee more joint work and support for the OSE and its objective of improving the quality of life of Uruguayans by providing access to quality potable water and sanitation".  

The resources granted will enable the preparation of all the technical, environmental, social, and financial studies required to develop the basic project and the preparation of the bidding documents for the construction of the dam.  

The basis of the agreement is the donation approved by the European Union in the framework of their regional initiative to support the "Water and Wastewater Investment Programme in Latin America". This action is aimed at financing studies and related activities to facilitate and increase investments in infrastructure that is efficient in terms of the ecology and climate within the water and sanitation sector.