The users include farmers, hydropower companies, industries and households, who pay differentiated rates depending on
use.
The largest share of payments comes from the Quito water utility (Metropolitan Enterprise of Water and Sewer Systems in Quito – EMMAP-Q) which contributes one per cent of monthly water sales. Farmers drawing water through irrigation also
contribute.
The fund held more than US$ 7 million at the end of 2009 (up from US$ 3 million in 2005) and invested about US$ 0.8 million in 2008. Administration costs are limited to between 10
and 20 per cent of total expenditures. 27
FONAG is contributing to securing present and future water supplies for Quito. Through the fund , more than 65,000 ha of watersheds are now under improved management. Upstream farmers receive support for watershed protection programmes, as opposed to cash payments. More than 1800 people are estimated to be receive increased economic benefits associated with watershed management and
conservation.