Urban example : prospective for the future : water supply and sanitation to urban marginal areas of Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Population growth in the barrios marginales in Latin America increases the need for safe water supply and sanitation. UNICEF in a joint effort with the Honduras National Water and Sanitation Agengy (SANAA) developped a programme in Tegucigalpa, in which UNICEF provides the funds and technical assistance. SANAA set up a special office, the Unit for Barrios Marginales (UEBM) that develops activities on request of the community. Community participation and organization, and health education are important in the projects of UEBM. Three types of supply systems are implemented dependent on the circumstances: self-contained systems supplied by wells, trucking water to a storage tank then pumping it to public taps, and connection to the main city grid. A fourth system, rainwater catchment, is still studied. Cost recovery is also part of the project. Often people pay less than before for their water and yet operation and maintenance, long-term repair, and repayment of the initial investment are covered.