A. M. 
The Board of Directors of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) approved US$185 million in financing for the Republic of El Salvador to implement the Guluchapa Drinking Water System Improvement Project, a strategic investment that seeks to ensure continuous and safe access to drinking water in the San Salvador Metropolitan Area.
The project will be executed by the Administración Nacional de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (ANDA) and will comprehensively transform the system that currently supplies seven districts in the departments of San Salvador and La Paz: Soyapango, Ilopango, Santo Tomás, San Marcos, Santiago Texacuangos, Olocuilta, and San Francisco Chinameca.
Comprehensive intervention of the system
The investment includes improvements from water collection to distribution. Among the main works are the construction and rehabilitation of 25 groundwater and surface water collection systems, as well as the construction of a new treatment plant in Joya Grande, which will have the capacity to process 650 liters per second.
In addition, pumping and repumping stations will be modernized and automated with state-of-the-art technology, which will allow for greater operational efficiency and fewer service failures.
The project also includes the installation of 37.14 kilometers of distribution piping, the provision of 25,000 new household connections with micro-meters, the construction of seven storage tanks, and 7.5 kilometers of electrical transmission lines.
As part of technological modernization, a comprehensive telemetry and remote control system will be implemented to facilitate real-time monitoring of water flow, pressure, and quality, improving management and response to any eventuality.
Institutional strengthening and quality control
The financing will also enable the rehabilitation and equipping of ANDA’s central water quality laboratory. A molecular biology laboratory will be incorporated to perform advanced analyses of pathogens and contaminants, reinforcing the guarantee that the water supplied meets safety standards.
Direct impact on the population
The project is estimated to benefit more than 156,000 inhabitants of the districts served, of whom 52.8% are women. One of the main results will be an increase in production flow from 525 to 650 liters per second.
Likewise, service coverage in the area of influence will increase from 61.5% to 100%, which means universal access to drinking water in the areas covered. During the construction phase, 2,684 temporary jobs are expected to be created, boosting the local economy.
Commitment to sustainable development
This operation is part of CABEI’s Positive Impact pillar, which aims to improve quality of life, strengthen human capital, and promote sustainable water resource management.
With the approval of US$185 million, CABEI reaffirms its support for strategic infrastructure projects in El Salvador, ensuring access to essential basic services and moving toward more inclusive and sustainable development.
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