EBRD funds to help water operations in Romania

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided €10m for water and wastewater services development in Romanian counties.

EBRD, the largest institutional investor in Romania, has joined the European Union (EU) Cohesion Fund to sponsor the upgradation of water and wastewater management in the country.

One of Romania’s largest water utilities, SC Raja SA Constanta, will be the beneficiary of this funding. The EU Cohesion Fund will lend €47.5m and EBRD’s another €10m. In 2010, the bank lent SC Raja SA Constanta €33m for investment purposes in Constanta county of Romania. At present, the company looks after the water needs of more than 730,000 residents.

This loan will improve access to clean drinking water for more than 10,000 residents alongside better sewerage facilities for about 20,000 residents in the counties of Lalomita, Constanta and Ilfov.

EBRD director for municipal and environmental infrastructure Jean-Patrick Marquet said: "SC Raja SA Constanta has considerably extended its service area, first to the county of Ialomita and more recently running operations in smaller, less-developed localities in Calarasi, Dambovita and Ilfov counties neighbouring Constanta.

"We are pleased to provide further financing to ensure that more people can benefit from the water and wastewater services supplied by the company, ensuring important environmental benefits."

SC Raja SA Constanta general manager Felix Stroe said: "The long-standing collaboration between SC Raja SA and EBRD has developed over time into a trustworthy partnership.

"The two institutions have worked together in guaranteeing the successful implementation of ambitious national infrastructure programmes.

"Through various projects developed by the EBRD, SC Raja SA efficiently manages infrastructure assets for the entire lifecycle, water catchment, distribution and treatment, to ensure the optimum provision of water services for the well-being of the population and of the environment."