Costa Rica: regulator calls for improved rural water supply

Public services regulator, Aresep, has called on local water utilities to improve the quality of rural water and sanitation systems.

A study by Aresep of 80 rural water and systems run by local local water and sewerage associations (Asadas*) found that water meters and proper disinfection systems were lacking, and that pipes needed to be replaced. Most users rely on septic tanks because there are no sewerage and wastewater treatment systems.

Asadas run 1864 rural water supply systems, which serve 1.2 million people. They operate independently under a delegation agreement with the national water and sewerage utility AyA.

Aresep proposed measures to protect intake works and water catchment areas from contamination. A study by the National Water Laboratory, published in August 2010, revealed that 31% of rural water supplies were contaminated.

In August 2010, AyA president Oscar Nuñez announced that US$ 480 million was needed to improve and maintain rural water supply systems.

* Asociaciones Administradoras de Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Comunales

Related web sites (in Spanish):

• Autoridad Reguladora de Servicios Públicos (Arsep) – Water
• Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA) – Rural Water Supply

Source: Alonso Mata B., La Nacion [in Spanish], 31 Aug 2010 ; InsideCostaRica.com, 02 Sep 2010

Peru: Legislators okay outsourcing of responsibilities of national sanitation authority, Sunass

The Peruvian congress’ consumer defense committee has approved the outsourcing of national sanitation authority Sunass‘ responsibilities for the supervision and control of water utilities.

According to an analysis carried out by the committee, a team of only six specialists currently supervises 50 water utilities operating across the nation, many of which handle potable water and sanitation services in more than one district.

Sunass does not analyze the work carried out by the water utilities either, making it necessary to outsource this function, committee head Alberto Andrade said.

Source: BNamericas.com [subscription site], 03 Jun 2008

Colombia: more than 800 municipalities risk losing access to water funding

Almost 80% of Colombia’s municipalities risk losing their participation in the Sistema General de Participaciones (SGP), or general revenue sharing system, according to Colombia’s public services regulator Superservicios. This is because they have either not transferred resources to the solidarity and income redistribution fund (FSRI) or they have failed to submit reports to the national information system (SUI). Superservicios is in charge of certifying that municipalities and districts are adequately managing and investing SGP funds for drinking water and sanitation, and that they comply with regulations for service rates and water quality standards.

Source: BNamericas.com [subscription fund], 8 Apr 2008