Manta Ecuador: World Bank to loan 115 million dollars in water, sanitation infrastructure

The World Bank has approved a project information document to improve water, sanitation and public transportation services in Ecuador’s Manta city, in Manabí province.

Despite substantial improvements in urban water and sanitation services coverage, especially in the
large cities, Ecuador still faces a significant challenge in providing better services in medium and
small size cities and rural areas, particularly regarding wastewater treatment. In 2008, urban
coverage levels for water and sanitation services were 76.1 and 57.6 percent, respectively, whereas
rural coverage levels were 25.3 and 14.6, respectively. National coverage of domestic wastewater
treatment was found to be 24.0 percent in urban areas in 2007. Other water and sanitation issues
requiring attention are the lack of service quality (number of water hours per day) and efficiency
(substantial water losses), limited cost recovery and heavy reliance on subsidies from national,
provincial and municipal government entities and sustainability (better integration with water
resources, achieving financial closure and resilience to natural disasters and climate change).
Municipal governments are also responsible for planning, regulating and controlling traffic and
public transportation within its canton territory, on top of planning, building and maintaining the
urban road network. The National Transit Agency retains authority for aspects such as driver
licensing and national road safety and related policies including setting of standards and the
Ministry of Transport and Public Works retains responsibility of national roads, overall transport
sector policy, standards and norms such as for design and construction.
Rapid urbanization in Ecuador is accompanied by similar increases in motorization rates (from 65
vehicles per 1000 inhabitants in the early 2000’s to approximately 90 by 2011) and a concomitant
increase in the related negative externalities, particularly air pollution and road accidents. To arrest
the deterioration of mobility in urban areas and particularly in medium-sized cities, actions are
urgently needed to ensure the more efficient functioning of urban areas. Historically, the levels of
investment in transport networks have not kept pace with development needs, but recently the GoE
has started to address those trends through enhancement of the planning and management of
transport systems and increases in the level of investments in infrastructure. In particular, the GoE
has committed to the implementation of mass transit systems in the largest cities (such as with the
Quito Metro, Guayaquil Bus Rapid Transit and Cuenca Tranvia projects) and interventions in the
urban road network in medium-sized cities to improve their conditions for transit operations,
pedestrian use, and overall safety. Recently, non-motorized transport has become a national priority,
as exemplified with the creation of an Office of Alternative Transport in the Ministry which is
advancing a national cycling agenda.

100 Points to Consider Before Moving or Retiring in Ecuador

The City of Manta, located in the Province of Manabí, is a medium-sized fast growing port city with
fisheries and tourism as its main economic activities. Manta’s road network has a total length of 350
km consisting of 52 km of arterials and collectors, and 298 km of local streets, and is considered to
be in regular-good condition, with low levels of congestion. Proactive planning and incentives for
both the demand and supply sides may enable planned growth, ensuring that more sustainable
transport modes remain available, even as motorization rates and motorcycle ownership increase.
Regarding local roads there is still a significant unpaved area, and old areas requiring rehabilitation.
Water supply and sanitation services are provided by the municipal water company Empresa Pública
Aguas de Manta (EPAM), and current coverage levels are 79 and 64 percent for water supply and
sewerage respectively, as the first phase of its Water and Sanitation Master Plan has been finalized.
While Manta potable water production will meet demand for the next few years, the distribution
system faces challenges including unserved population, significant areas with aged and illperforming pipes that need rehabilitation, and significant water losses.

The City of Manta, located in the Province of Manabí, is a medium-sized fast growing port city with
fisheries and tourism as its main economic activities. Manta’s road network has a total length of 350
km consisting of 52 km of arterials and collectors, and 298 km of local streets, and is considered to
be in regular-good condition, with low levels of congestion. Proactive planning and incentives for
both the demand and supply sides may enable planned growth, ensuring that more sustainable
transport modes remain available, even as motorization rates and motorcycle ownership increase.
Regarding local roads there is still a significant unpaved area, and old areas requiring rehabilitation.
Water supply and sanitation services are provided by the municipal water company Empresa Pública
Aguas de Manta (EPAM), and current coverage levels are 79 and 64 percent for water supply and
sewerage respectively, as the first phase of its Water and Sanitation Master Plan has been finalized.
While Manta potable water production will meet demand for the next few years, the distribution
system faces challenges including unserved population, significant areas with aged and illperforming pipes that need rehabilitation, and significant water losses. READ WORLD BANK PDF