El Salvador

There are currently three active programmes in El Salvador: one is under implementation; one was finished in September 2021 and a third one  is still in the design phase.

The Integrated Water, Sanitation and Environment Project (SLV-056-B), which ended in September 2021, had a budget of 21 million euros, of which more than 17 million euros (80%) corresponded to a contribution made by the Fund. The programme aimed to increase the coverage, quality and sustainability of drinking water and sanitation services, as well as to strengthen Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the sector, offering tools for the governance of the resource and strengthening the institutional capacities of the executing entities.

As part of the programme, it is worth mentioning the installation of the drinking water treatment plant in the Isla Madresal district (which is in need of some work by the National Aqueduct and Sewage Authority) and the rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plant in the urban area of Suchitoto. In the last quarter of 2021, several consultancies were completed regarding the expansion of the Water Quality Laboratory; the characterisation of discharges in some towns; the Promotion of Water Culture; the drafting of guidelines on environmental flows and the study of Lake Coatepeque, among others. Specific activities have also been carried out in Ciudad Barrios aimed at training families in hygiene and good water use in order to reduce disease and promote sustainable consumption.

The most recent is the SLV-059-B programme: Drafting a Public Policy that guarantees the sustainability of the drinking water and sanitation sub-sector in rural areas, which commenced implementation in June 2020 and is expected to run until December 2024. This programme is being carried out by the National Aqueduct and Sewage Authority (ANDA) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), with an FCAS investment of 4.8 million euros. Its objective is to extend access to sustainable drinking water and sanitation services to the most vulnerable population in El Salvador. Throughout 2021, eight projects for the rehabilitation and improvement of water systems in rural communities in the Central region began implementation, and progress has been made in the selection process for a further eight projects in the Western region. In addition, work is being done with the executing entities and the beneficiary to adjust the actions to the new Water Resources Law approved in the country in December 2021 with the support of the programme.

In addition, a second phase of this same Programme (SLV-060-B) was approved in 2020, with 600,000 euros of funding, which is currently in the planning process.