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Water and Sanitation Initiative
At the Inter-American Development Bank we are convinced that countries in Latin America and the Caribbean can close the coverage gap in water and sanitation services in the near future.
To reach that goal, the Water and Sanitation Initiative offers a new set of tools and flexible financing. Launched in 2007, the initiative has developed strategic guidelines, specific targets and special financial products to support solutions tailored to each country’s needs. Between 2007 and 2011 the initiative will emphasize four programs.
100 Cities Program
Designed to catalyze investment financing and technical assistance for Latin American and Caribbean cities of more than 50,000 people, giving priority to their poorest communities.
Water for 3,000 Rural Communities
This program will support communities willing to take their own financial, technical and organizational decisions and to run their local water and sanitation systems.
Water Defenders
The protection of water sources, decontamination and treatment of waste water are critical. This program will provide technical assistance and financing to safeguard 20 priority micro-watersheds.
Efficient and Transparent Utilities
Improving the efficiency of companies that run water and sanitation services and increasing their transparency builds trust among their clients and financial agents. The IDB will finance programs to strengthen the management of water utilities and will develop a system to measure and certify their performance.
