Alba County Regional Water Company to finance water supply upgrades

The Alba County Regional Water Company is set to receive €12m loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to finance upgrades in drinking water supply and sanitation services for some 332,000 people in Alba County, Romania.

The transaction is backed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

EIB vice-president Andrew McDowell said: “I am pleased to announce our support for this project which will greatly improve the quality of water services in Alba County and is the first public sector operation in Romania to be backed by the Juncker Plan.

“Not only will the works have a sizable impact on the public health of people, they will also render the local water infrastructure more cost efficient and environmentally friendly.”

Expected to cost €114m in total, the project in Alba County will involve the rehabilitation of a water intake, the expansion of the water network by 55km.

Additionally, 115km of water mains and two water treatment plants will be extended and rehabilitated and the sewerage network in the region will be extended by 100km.

The investment will also be used to modernise 49 pumping stations and build two new wastewater treatment plants in Alba County.

European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Crețu said: “Quality drinking water should never be a luxury and should be available everywhere in Europe.

“This agreement under the Juncker Plan shows the real added value of the EU, investing to protect the environment and improve the health and everyday lives of our citizens.”

With the rehabilitation of the principal water pipes and sewers leaks and infiltrations can be reduced the energy efficiency of the systems can be increased.