USTDA Supports Launch of New Wastewater Treatment System for Cartagena
November 23, 2011
(USTDA)
CARTAGENA DE INDIAS, COLOMBIA – Today, USTDA
awarded a grant to the Cartagena Water and
Sewerage Company (known as ACUACAR) for
technical assistance on the start-up of the
new, comprehensive wastewater treatment system
for the city of Cartagena. The grant was signed
on behalf of USTDA by Senior Commercial Officer
Cameron Werker, and on behalf of ACUACAR by
General Manager Francisco Pérez Tena.
USTDA Director Leocadia I. Zak stated, "USTDA
is proud to partner with ACUACAR on this
project, which will leverage U.S. expertise to
have a tangible impact on public health and the
environment in this key tourism destination and
port city."
ACUACAR is a public-private enterprise, which
provides potable water and sewerage services in
Cartagena. The $513,000 grant will support the
integration of existing wastewater subsystems;
the startup of a new wastewater system; the
creation of an environmental water quality
baseline assessment; and the design of an
ongoing water quality monitoring program,
including recommendations for environmental
remediation in an adjacent sea inlet.
Additionally, it will also assist with designs
for the expansion of the water and wastewater
treatment system in the city, especially as it
relates to automation and control, monitoring
and equipment necessary for operations.
ACUACAR plans to contract for the design and
subsequently the construction of a new potable
water plant immediately south of Cartagena,
which would have a capacity of 160,000 cubic
meters per day, thus increasing the system's
capacity by more than a third.
This technical assistance activity will provide
significant opportunities for the involvement
of U.S. firms in the expansion of the water and
wastewater treatment system in the city of
Cartagena. The selected contractor will
organize a workshop in Cartagena to disseminate
best practices in water and wastewater
treatment in Colombia, with an emphasis on
modern treatment technologies, automation,
control, monitoring, and engineering and
environmental services. Further information
about submitting a bid for the opportunity to
conduct this technical assistance will be
posted on USTDA's website (www.ustda.gov) and
on the Federal Business Opportunities website
(www.fbo.gov).
Welcome to the Exporting Source
Your one-stop resource for finding help to export to new customers, to learn about government export programs, to join export-promoting trade missions, to sign up for trade conferences and training, and to link to other exporting services. Whether you're an old hand at exporting or just getting started, the Exporting Source provides a place to locate foreign customers, export financing and foreign investment assistance.