EBRD and EU to support water and wastewater upgrades in Mehedinti county, Romania

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) Cohesion Fund will be co-financing a project that aims to improve water services for Mehedinti county in Romania.

The local water and wastewater service provider SC Secom in Drobeta-Turnu Severin, which is the capital of the county, will be carrying out the project to better its network that serves around 300,000 people.

Drobeta-Turnu Severin mayor Constantin Gherge said: "The project envisages the extension of water and wastewater utilities which are much needed for a community to be comfortable and thrive."

The project is expected to involve an investment of €72.9m, of which €5.7m will be a long-term loan extension by EBRD.

EU will be contributing around €57.1m for the project from Romania’s EU Cohesion Fund Programme.

The remaining will be covered with state funds of €8.7m and local budget of €1.4m.

The funds are expected to support expansion and upgrades for the firm’s water and wastewater network across towns including Drobeta Turnu Severin, Baia de Arama, Strehaia, Vânju-Mare, Simian, Cujmir, Gura Vaii, Comanda and Rogova.

Work under the project will involve four wastewater treatment plant upgrades, along with improvements for 13 new water-pumping stations, 10 new reservoirs and 27 wastewater pumping stations.

More than 200km of water and wastewater networks will be rehabilitated and extended under the project, which is expected to improve potable water quality in the region to meet EU directives.

It is also aimed at improving the quality and increasing access to water and sewerage services in the region.

The project will thus support connections for over 15,000 people to the water network and for nearly 30,000 people to the wastewater network.

Upgrades under the project are also expected to reduce water and energy losses, and eliminate 415 tonnes of CO²-equivalent annually.

EBRD Romania director Matteo Patrone said: "Our goal is to develop a sustainable water and wastewater system in Mehedinti. Improving the quality of services and reducing the negative impact of wastewater discharges means improving the quality of life for local residents."

SC Secom director general George Lupulescu said: "The EBRD’s investment will provide co-financing, which will enable our company to implement a substantial investment programme co-financed by EU Cohesion Funds.

"The implementation of the project marks an important step in improving water and wastewater treatment, while the EBRD’s environmental and social policies support the development of SC Secom as the regional water operator."