public services

Idaan to take control of sewage treatment plants

Idaan will soon assume control of around 25 treatment plants now maintained by developers.

LA PRENSA

changing hands:Idaan’s director, Juan Antonio Ducruet, said the agency is well on its way to assuming responsibility for numerous sewage treatment plants. 1057129

In the next few months, the Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales (Idaan) will assume the management of sewage plants built by developers for housing projects. Although the Instituto has not yet claimed any of the plants, Idaan director Juan Antonio Ducruet said they are well on the way to accomplishing the transfers.

Ducruet noted that a regulation approved last month concerning transfers of sewer systems or water treatment plants was in accordance with a 2001 law concerning the agency’s reorganization and modernization.

The Idaan official reported that talks have begun with the developers to specify the number of sewage system projects that could be turned over.

Idaan is also pursuing a requisition of funds needed for maintaining and managing the plants. Treating residential wastewater to avoid contaminating natural waterways and to maintain the sewage systems is one of the requirements established by the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (Anam).

Anam authorities explained that their agency is responsible for conducting tests on the water discharged into streams and sewers to verify compliance with environmental regulations. Idaan could assume control of around 25 treatment plants already vetted for compliance with the Instituto’s specifications.

Convivienda, an organization representing 19 urban developers, described the potential transfer as a positive move. Mitsila Espino, a Convivienda member, confirmed that there are around 25 plants are awaiting transfer. Although developers have already finished working on some of them, they continue to pay for their upkeep.