Project will improve the health of Nicaraguans through improved access to drinking water and sanitation

The Inter-American Development Bank has approved a $72 million loan to improve access to expand and improve access to potable water and basic sanitation in 11 cities in the departments of Masaya, Nueva Segovia, Madríz, Rivas, Jinotega and Chinandega, and in the capital, Managua.

The project aims at improving health indicators in Nicaragua by expanding water and sanitation services. This includes rehabilitating and expanding water infrastructure, setting up sanitation sewage networks and wastewater treatment plants, as well as training and educating citizens to optimize the use of water resources.

The expansion work will benefit 65,000 people through improved access to clean water, while 31,000 others will get new connections to sewerage networks. Both projects will be executed by Nicaragua’s water and sewerage company, Empresa Nicaragüense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados or ENACAL, an autonomous state-owned entity.

In addition, the project will support ENACAL’s efforts to improve the quality of its services in Managua and guarantee the sustainability of its investments. Overall, the procurement of equipment, civil works and technical assistance will benefit an estimated 375,000 residents of the capital city.

About the IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.