WB to support Armenian water supply improvement project

The World Bank (WB), through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has allocated a $15m loan to help improve water supply in Armenia.

The IBRD loan will assist the $18m municipal water project in improving the quality and availability of water supply in selected service areas of the Armenian Water and Sewerage Company (AWSC).

With the help of the financing, the average daily supply of drinking water service is expected to increase from 12 hours to 17 hours.

The loan will also improve customer service, while decreasing water pollution risks, the World Banks has said.

WB project design team head Ahmed Eiweida said with the bank assistance, the Government also selected an international water operator to manage the AWSC under a management contract.

"Significant amount of investments are still needed to reduce the high level of commercial and technical losses, and to rehabilitate the water and wastewater infrastructure," Eiweida said.

The funds will finance the design, construction, and supervision of priority reconstruction and rehabilitation works.

Over 133,000 residents in the cities of Ashtarak, Masis and Echmiadzin and 15 neighboring rural settlements will benefit fromimproved water supply.

As part of the project, new metres will be deployed to benefit about 21,000 residents.

The IBRD loan carries a maturity of 25 years including a grace period of ten years.

The Government of Armenia is to provide $3m out of the $18m needed to finance the water supply improvement project.

Image: The WB loan will help improve water supply, while decreasing water pollution risks in Armenia. Photo: Radoslaw Botev.