The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has allocated a loan of €8.8m to help improve water infrastructure in the county of Braila, Romania.
The bank's loan, in addition to EU cohesion funds of €74m and funding from the local and state budgets will finance the €95.7m regional water investment programme of the SC Compania de Utilitati Publice Dunarea SA Braila.
As the regional water and wastewater operator for the county of Braila, SC Compania de Utilitati Publice Dunarea SA Braila will oversee the management of water resources, including the distribution as well as treatment of water and wastewater services.
The company delivers services to the city of Braila, as well as to three other localities of Ianca, Faurei and Insuratei, in addition to 41 smaller rural communities in the county.
The programme is designed to extend and upgrade the infrastructure in 45 administrative territorial units, representing nearly two-thirds of the population of Braila County. 300,000 residents will gain access to safe water supplies and to sanitation services.
EBRD Romania director Claudia Pendred said: "The bank's investments have enabled utility companies in Romania to attract €724m in EU Cohesion Funds with the counties of Brasov, Buzau, Constanta, Dambovita, Iasi, Sibiu and now Braila benefiting."
The EBRD's €8.8m loan is a subproject of the €200m Regional EU Cohesion Fund Co-financing Framework, which was launched in 2010 to support investments in Romania's water services and help municipalities make use of the financing available from EU cohesion funds.
