San Andrés waterworks concession attracts 7 to date

Seven companies have purchased bidding rules to date from Colombia's public services regulator (Superservicios) to provide waterworks service on San Andrés island, a Superservicios official told BNamericas. Potential bidders include Biwater, Eaab, EPM, Hidropacífico and Proactiva, said the official. The official added that the new deadline to submit bids was extended to June 10 from last month. The extra time was needed in order to determine possible contract modifications following the approval of additional funds by the country's economic and social policy council Conpes. Updated contract details are due to be released in coming days, said the official. Total financing reaches 21bn pesos (US$9mn) and will go towards new infrastructure that will help the private operator improve waterworks coverage and service. Today, the island residents suffer potable water supply problems, and can go up to 15 days without water services, said the report, adding that the new aqueduct will guarantee water 24 hours a day for the next 15 years. The idea is to increase water and sewerage coverage to 75% and 57%, respectively, in the next five years. The San Andrés islands are in the Caribbean sea off the coast of Nicaragua. Some 57,000 residents live on the islands whose livelihood comes primarily from tourism.