Paraguay to invest US$250mn in Ypacaraí waterworks

Paraguay's public works ministry (MOPC) plans to invest US$250mn in the expansion of sewerage services and wastewater treatment plants in the Ypacaraí lake basin.

Sewage from over 500,000 residents in Asunción's metropolitan area is directly discharged into the lake.

Initiatives include building a wastewater treatment plant and sewerage systems in Itauguá, which is about to be awarded. Similar projects are in the pipeline for Areguá, Ypacaraí, Capiatá, Luque and San Lorenzo.

Funds will also be allotted to build a wastewater treatment plant along the Yukyry stream, which is the main tributary to Ypacaraí lake.

Works, which are scheduled to last 18 months, will be financed by an IDBloan and a donation from the Spanish government.

Paraguay has a US$2.4bn, five-year water and sanitation plan, which seeks to expand sewerage services and wastewater treatment to 50% from 11% and 3%, respectively.