ADB to Lend $25bn for Asian Water Projects

Asian Development Bank (ADB) plans to raise bonds in 2011 to lend $25bn to water projects over the next decade in Asia.

The Manila-based bank will invest as much as $2.5bn for water per year through to 2020.

ADB will focus on wastewater treatment projects that will help countries to reuse the resource for irrigation and industries.

According to the bank’s estimate, by 2030 water demand in Asia will exceed supply by 40% unless countries improve the treatment and management of fresh water supply and wastewater.

Earlier this year ADB issued water bonds to Japanese investors to help finance $8.7bn of water projects in Asia Pacific until 2012, according to Bloomberg.