Water management initiatives launched in Ibarra and Guadalajara

In Ibarra, Ecuador, the Municipal Public Company for Drinking Water and Sewerage (EMAPA-I) conducted technical tours to showcase infrastructure for water supply and wastewater treatment. The Pesillo-Imbabura project, supported by the European Union and the Development Bank of Ecuador, aims to provide potable water to over 120 communities across the Imbabura and Pichincha provinces.

Additionally, EMAPA-I hosted a delegation at the Ibarra Wastewater Treatment Plant (PTAR-I) to demonstrate processes designed to reduce pollution in the Tahuando River. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to improve environmental conditions and water resource management within the canton.

In Guadalajara, Mexico, the Intermunicipal System of Drinking Water and Sewerage Services (SIAPA) has launched ‘SIAPA Bot’, a digital tool accessible via WhatsApp. The chatbot allows residents of Guadalajara, Zapopan, San Pedro Tlaquepaque, and Tonalá to report water quality issues and supply shortages.

This new tool provides users with a tracking folio to monitor their requests. SIAPA plans to integrate this technology with the municipal ‘GuaZap’ chatbot to streamline metropolitan service reporting and improve response times from technical departments.