Improving Water Systems for Rural Communities in Nicaragua (slideshow)

Improving Water Systems for Rural Communities in Nicaragua (slideshow)
Through the Municipal Development Program, rural communities in Nicaragua have been able to develop new water systems to improve their quality of life. Funded by USAID, the Municipal Development Program works to strengthen municipal governance and citizen involvement by empowering citizens and improving basic service delivery. The program works by helping local governments be more responsive to their citizens and develop citizen’s positive perception of their leadership.
In the rural community of El Areno, families were finally able to fulfill their dream of having of drinking water supplied directly to their homes. The new system benefits a total of 325 inhabitants and will ensure a consistent water supply to the community for the next 20 years. The new system cost approximately $81 thousand of which nearly 50% was contributed by the municipal government and the remaining covered by the Municipal Development Program. In two rural communities in San Isidro, nearly 500 residents now have improved the quality and quantity of water they have access to. The previous systems had no capacity for water storage, so water shortages were common. The total investment of the project was nearly $122 thousand of which the Municipal Development Program provided a 56%, City Hall provided 25% and the community contribution was just over 18%.