France and EIB to improve water supply and wastewater treatment system in Mariupol

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a Declaration of Intent (DoI) with the Government of France and the City Council of Mariupol for creating a new municipal water supply infrastructure in Mariupol.

As per the terms of the DoI, EIB has agreed to invest €35m in the modernisation of the Mariupol water supply and wastewater management system, while the French government has agreed to make an investment of €64m for a new drinking water plant.

EIB Ukraine Office head Jean-Erik de Zagon said: “EIB as the largest international lender to the water sector worldwide, is happy to provide both the financing and the much-needed expertise to implement this project.

“This project will help the population of Mariupol to have access to considerably more efficient and reliable water supply”.

The new initiative will feature an upgrade of two existing water pumping stations (WPS) as well as the construction of three new WPS and reconstruction of water supply mains.

Additionally, the project scope includes rehabilitation of the biological wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as well as building a new WWPS and construction of wastewater collector.

The French government has also agreed to provide a grant that will be used for carrying out preparation and feasibility studies for executing these projects.

A general plan will also be developed as part of the project to improve water supply in the city by 2040 and also help the city to plan for future investment in the water management system.

Mariupol City Mayor Vadym Boychenko said: “Thanks to the support of the international partners, Mariupol will receive both access to the professional expertise and financial support.

“In the city with half of a million inhabitants, this support will help to solve one of the key problems in the water supply.

“As a result, Mariupol residents will receive access to clean drinking water at an affordable price. I am grateful to our friends, the European Investment bank and the French Government, for their trust and support”.

The project is expected to directly benefit 411,000 people in the region.