Brazilian State to Improve Sanitation

The Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul plans to invest R$1.3bn ($780m) in 2011 to improve its sanitation services.

Around half of the investment will be used to improve sewage services in municipalities including Canoas, Esteio, Sapucaia do Sul, Alvorada, Viamao, Guaiba, Passo Fundo, Ijui and Rio Grande.

The state also plans to improve potable water services in the metropolitan region of Santa Rosa and maintain water coverage in the state.

Funding for the project will be sourced from the federal budget, federal savings bank Caixa Economica Federal, the national development bank BNDES and state water utility Corsan.

The state aims to double sewage service in its coverage area within the next two years, according to bnamericas.com.