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WATER AND ENVIRONMENT
Program Overview (1997-2005)
Under its strategy that began in 1997 and ended in September 2005, USAID helped El Salvador to increase rural residents’ access to safe water in 18 targeted municipalities. The program’s objectives included: (a) improving micro-watersheds through the promotion of high-value, non-traditional crops that are less detrimental to the environment than traditional crops; (b) expanding the number of water distribution systems that provide rural communities with clean water; and (c) carrying out education campaigns to increase understanding of the causes and consequences of unclean water and the solutions for obtaining clean water.
USAID programs contributed to the following achievements:
- Access to clean water: over 173,000 people gained
access to clean water, which represents 65 percent of households in
project areas. Over 12,800 farmers are using environmentally friendly
practices on 35,600 hectares (89,000 acres), preserving and increasing
the quality of available fresh water.
- Improvement of water service: USAID provided funds
for the construction of 125 self-sufficient, modern and potable water
systems; the establishment of a tariff structure aimed to support the
system with metered household connections; and training for local water
board members.
- Implementation of conservation practices: farmers
implemented soil and forest conservation practices on 20,394 hectares
(50,985 acres) and integrated farming practices on 6,266 hectares (15,666
acres) in order to increase the quantity and quality of water.
- Citizen education and direct training: citizen participation
in water related discussions increased through education efforts and
the direct training of 13,962 members of local organizations. A total
of 439,505 people (or 99 percent of the targeted population) increased
their awareness of the causes and consequences of unclean water.
- Development of water management plans: the 18 targeted
municipalities have developed water management plans that include provisions
on critical watershed management within their jurisdiction. Forty-three
municipal water related ordinances have been issued.
- Building of water reservoirs: USAID provided funds
to build 13 water reservoirs to better manage water resources. These
systems include an infiltration galleria to divert surface waters in
streams and/or brooks, as well as a 1,000m3 reservoir and a drop drainage
system. According to data, the investment on water reservoirs can be
recuperated in a five year period.
- Solid and liquid waste management: over 15,000 rural
families have benefited from solid and liquid waste sound management
projects, developed through modern and efficient treatment plants and
sanitary landfills that promote recycling . Six industries are using
clean technologies.
- Construction of waste treatment plants: two solid
waste treatment plants in slaughterhouses were constructed. The plants
benefit the Jiquilisco and Cacaopera communities, using new solid waste
technology for the first time in El Salvador.
- Establishment of an agriculture association: USAID
helped establish and legalize the Agriculture Association of Southern
Usulutan, which is now working with small farmers.
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