Santa Cruz de la Sierra restarts drainage channel cleaning, expects completion by November

The Autonomous Municipal Government of Santa Cruz de la Sierra has resumed maintenance work on the city's lined drainage channels. The initiative aims to restore the channels' hydraulic capacity, ensuring they function effectively during the upcoming rainy season.

Mayor Manuel 'Mamén' Saavedra reported that the channels have lost between 40% and 50% of their capacity due to the accumulation of soil, sand, sediment, and vegetation over the years. The cleaning process, which began on the Isuto channel between the fourth and fifth rings, requires heavy machinery due to the significant volume of accumulated sediment, in some areas exceeding one meter in depth.

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After three years, the cleaning of the channels restarts. Currently, the channels in our city have lost at least between 40% and 50% of their capacity.

Saavedra explained that this lack of maintenance has led to increased street flooding during rainfall, as water fails to drain properly through the channels. The current intervention is crucial for restoring the systems' ability to conduct and evacuate rainwater efficiently.

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We need the population to help us too and not throw garbage into the channels.

The municipality anticipates completing the cleaning of all lined drainage channels by November, taking advantage of the dry season. The program involves three contracts for channel cleaning and two for road maintenance, with a combined investment of approximately 18 million Bolivianos (Bs).

Mayor Saavedra also urged citizens to cooperate by refraining from dumping waste into the drainage channels, as garbage can cause blockages and contribute to pollution in rivers. He stressed that maintaining the city is a shared responsibility, stating, "The best city is not the one that cleans the most, but the one that gets dirty the least."

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The best city is not the one that cleans the most, but the one that gets dirty the least.