ADB aid to Vietnam’s water project

PHILIPPINES: The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) has approved a US $ One billion financial support facility in Vietnam to help improve the citizen’s access to clean water.

The program, which will affect some Three million families, will help water companies improve and expand clean water supply in some of the country’s largest cities through the installation of new pipelines and the repair and extension of existing networks. In addition to infrastructure improvements, the program will enhance the operational management and commercial viability of water companies.

The Manila-based multilateral lender said the water investment program aims to reduce water loss in urban areas to less than 20 percent by 2020, bringing Vietnam’s cities in line with affluent Asian cities such as Seoul.

“Poor water coverage hits poor families the hardest, and this investment program will benefit these families most,” Ayumi Konishi, ADB’s Country Director for Vietnam, said.

The nationwide water investment program is a cornerstone of Vietnam’s efforts to attain 90 percent piped water coverage by 2020, with universal coverage targeted by 2025.

MANILA, Tuesday, Xinhua.