European Investment Bank approves loan for water and sanitation facilities in Spain

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a loan of EUR50m ($64.75m) to the Cantabria region in Spain, to develop its water and sanitation facilities.

Cantabria will use the loan to fund its water supply and the sanitation master plans.

The project aims to increase reliability and efficiency of water supply in the coastal areas of the region, and also to improve wastewater management in accordance with the European Union’s (EU) urban wastewater treatment directives.

Cantabria is planning to meet the set standards by constructing four wastewater treatment plants, and through numerous sewerage infrastructure schemes.

In view of water shortages, the proposed schemes are expected to meet growing water demand, have environmental benefits, and contribute towards the efforts to adapt to the climate change.

The region’s investments in the sanitation facilities will cut down pollution, improve the quality of discharges into the surface and costal water and promote recycling of domestic wastewater for non-domestic purposes.

Investments for the sanitation purposes are partially included in the Operational Programme for the Environment and will be co-financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which is allocated by the EU.

Cantabria is expecting to complete the project in 2016.

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Image: Spain’s autonomous community Cantabria will use EIB approved funds to improve water and sanitation services in the region. Photo: Tysto