The Ministry of Environment and Energy announced on April 2 the official delivery of technical approvals for potable water and sanitation projects in several sectors of Guaranda, Bolívar province. The projects represent a total investment of over USD 3.5 million and are expected to benefit approximately 4,100 residents in both rural and urban areas.
These technical approvals confirm institutional support for feasibility studies submitted by the Municipal Government of Guaranda. The initiatives aim to improve potable water systems as well as sanitary and stormwater sewerage infrastructure.
In La Palma, Salinas parish, feasibility studies and final designs will be developed for sanitary sewerage, stormwater drainage, and potable water systems with an investment of USD 874,715. This project is set to benefit 806 inhabitants through the construction of three spring intakes, a potable water treatment plant, and a sanitary sewer system equipped with an Imhoff tank and anaerobic filters.
Projects in Vinchoa Grande, Vinchoa Chaquisca, and Vinchoa La Y (Veintimilla parish) have a combined budget of USD 2,083,592 to serve about 2,148 people. Plans include building three independent wastewater treatment plants (PTAR) along with fourteen basic sanitation units designed for hard-to-reach areas.
For Sinche Grande and Tanquizan sectors (Guanujo parish), works totaling more than USD 566,000 will provide improved sewage treatment by gravity flow for around 1,176 residents. These upgrades are intended to ensure treated wastewater returns cleanly to local rivers.
Currently these communities face challenges managing wastewater due to reliance on latrines or direct discharges into the environment—a situation that poses risks of environmental contamination affecting soil quality. The ministry said these actions also strengthen local governance over water resources while reducing pollution sources across Salinas, Veintimilla, and Guanujo parishes.
“The Ministry of Environment and Energy ratifies its commitment to work together with local governments and communities by prioritizing access to water as a fundamental right as well as a driver for sustainable development in rural areas,” the ministry said.
