City: Province of Neuquén
Duration: 924 days
Year: 2007 - 2009

FEATURES:
Water intake work: gravity intake designed for a flow rate of 42 m³/sec, located on the southern shore of Lake Mari Menuco. The project consists of:

• Intake Canal within the Mari Menuco Reservoir of 200 m in length.
• Intake Canal from the shore, 85 m long, lined with Beton Flex and Gabions.
• Intake structure with 8 screens and 8 flat gates operated by electric-manual actuators, with local and remote operation.
• Reinforced Concrete Transition Structure between Intake Works and Main Canal.
• 33 kV Aerial Power Line of 14 km in length from the Planicie Banderita Transformer Station, with the construction of an exit field and 315 KVA Transformer Substation installed at the Intake Works.
• Complementary works, access road, perimeter fencing, operator housing, control room, pump room, and landscaping.
• Maintenance and auxiliary equipment, crane gantry with a 3.5 T hook, generator set, 16 panels for closing two complete gaps.

TESTIMONY:
\"In the visit, Pechen emphasized that the initiative will meet the water demand of the residents of Neuquén, Centenario, Plottier, and Vista Alegre. It is expected that in November the connections will be ready to supply drinking water to the cisterns.
Luis Acuña, the Undersecretary of Public Services, explained the details of the project along with technicians from the companies responsible for execution. The project includes 30,000 hectares to be irrigated in the Bajo Los Barreales and El Salitral areas through an open canal running parallel to the drinking water aqueduct.
The features of the work will result in an energy saving of about 400 thousand pesos per month. The gravity-fed water transport to the treatment plant, covering a 40 km stretch, will replace the pumping system from the river, leading to the energy savings. The aqueduct has a projected horizon of 25 years and will supply up to 1 million people.
\"We have hope within reach,\" said Pechen. The project generated up to 250 direct jobs at its peak, and during operation, 50 people will be involved in system maintenance. The productive stage, with the irrigation of 30,000 hectares, presents a potential for up to 20,000 jobs.
Water for the summer
The objective of the project is to definitively solve the water shortage in the area during summer. It also aims to generate an agro-industrial development hub in the irrigated area, thereby transforming the energy-dependent productive matrix.\"
Source: Subsecretariat of Public Information – Government of the Province of Neuquén