10 June 2013: The Latin American Development Bank (CAF) released a book on universal access to water and sanitation in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) with the goal of sparking regional dialogue on equity and social inclusion policies regarding drinking water and sanitation.

‘Equity and Social Inclusion in Latin America: Universal Access to Water and Sanitation’ was presented at a conference on access to water and sanitation held on 6 June 2013, in Panama City, Panama, which included a session devoted to discussing the book’s conclusions.

The book estimates that achieving universal access to drinking water and sewer services in LAC by 2030 would require an annual investment of US$12.5 billion, equivalent to 0.31% of the region’s GDP in 2010. The book suggests such an annual investment also would significantly increase coverage of wastewater treatment and storm drainage in LAC cities.

Among the book’s recommendations are the adoption by countries of clear water and sanitation legislation that incorporates the universal access principle, with specific mandates and goals, which clearly delineates the powers and duties of different authorities at different levels of government and the obligations and duties of agencies and/or entities charged with providing water and sanitation services. The book provides examples of regimes adopted in Chile, Colombia and the Brazilian state of São Paulo, and suggests LAC could benefit from intra-regional South-South technical exchange and cooperation on the issue.

The conference was organized by CAF and Panama’s National Center for Competitiveness, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Economy and Finance. The publication is the second in CAF’s ‘Reflections on Social and Environmental Policies’ series. The first, released in 2010, addresses social policies to promote citizenship and social cohesion. [CAF Press Release] [Panamanian Government Press Release] [Publication: Equity and Social Inclusion in Latin America: Universal Access to Water and Sanitation (in Spanish)]