Association of Water Boards starts international projects

Association of Water Boards
The Hague, Netherlands, 22 Mar 07

On 22 March, World Water Day, Dutch development minister Bert Koenders gave the starting signal for the first three international water projects to be run by the Unie van Waterschappen (Association of Water Boards). The projects are being launched in Nicaragua, South Africa and Hungary with the aim of ensuring better water management and greater access to clean drinking water and sanitation. They are being financed from the solidarity fund of the Nederlandse Waterschapsbank (NWB), the public sector bank that funds the water boards and other government agencies. With the NWB fund, the Dutch water boards may implement projects in the field of water and sanitation and put their knowledge and expertise at the disposal of other countries.

The project in Nicaragua aims for better management of the catchment area near the city of Matagalpa, and will provide 80,000 new drinking water connections, as well as sanitary facilities and wastewater treatment. In South Africa, officials from local water boards will receive training. In Hungary, the Dutch water boards will provide support in planning two catchment areas around Lakes Balaton and Velence.

Contact: Rob Uijterlinden