Water to improve quality of life

(Caracas, November 10, 2007).- The Andean Development Corporation approved a loan for US$17.5 million for the State Sanitary Works Administration (OSE) backed by a guarantee from the Uruguayan State. The loan financing part of the execution of the Sixth Pumping Line of the Montevideo Metropolitan Potable Water System Project, which will benefit an important sector of the Uruguayan capital.

"The objective of the project - explained CAF President & CEO Enrique García - is to improve the quality of life of about 347,000 inhabitants, residents of the west of the city of Montevideo, including 256,000 from low-income sectors. This will be achieved by increasing the capacity, stability and reliability of the potable water supply system."

The project is part of the National Potable Water and Sewerage Program approved by OSE, which plans the investment priorities required to meet demand in the metropolitan area until 2035, and make optimum use of resources and environment. The total cost is US$39 million, of which 45% comes from the CAF loan, 48% from local contributions, and the remaining 7% from Citigroup.

The project consists of building and installing a supply line from the piped water treatment plant to the west of the capital, a distance of 50.9-km, execution of related works, and supply and installation of supplementary equipment and accessories such as valves, connections and measuring equipment for interconnection with the other pumping lines of the Montevideo Metropolitan Potable Water System.

OSE is a decentralized autonomous public body, set up in 1952, to manage the provision of potable water and sewerage services in Uruguay, with the exception of Montevideo department.