Gjirokastra & Fier Water Supply and Sewage

Gjirokastra & Fier Water Supply and Sewage

Project Description

The Albanian water and wastewater systems are not efficient. While the majority are connected to a mains supply the in-system water losses are huge. Around half are connected to a wastewater system, however, very little discharge is processed through a wastewater treatment plant leading to health and environmental risks. To address this, and meet other water supply and discharge needs, the government has embarked on a programme of refurbishment and new installations. WBIF is supporting a number of these initiatives. This particular project is helped by a WBIF capital investment grant of EUR 4.68 million.

The majority of the Albanian population, 78 %, is connected to a water supply system. A serious problem, however, is the high unaccounted-for water,  which is lost and wasted once it has entered the system, which is more than 60 % and the highest in Europe. This is caused by the large technical losses due to the outdated water supply infrastructure and a large number of illegal connections. The use of high volumes of water for the purpose of crop production, public parks, cleaning of towns and other ancillary activities aggravates the situation. Almost half of the population is connected to the sewerage system but only the wastewater of a very few is treated in a wastewater treatment plant. As a result surface and ground waters are highly contaminated by the direct discharge of polluted urban and industrial wastewater into surface watercourses.

This project is part of the German Government's Municipal Infrastructure I programme implemented by KfW, which aims to improve water supply and sewage management in Lezha, Fier, Saranda, and Gjirokastra, by rehabilitating several water reservoirs, construction of water mains, the connection of several neighbourhoods and nearby villages of these towns to the water supply system and sewerage network. The total investment of the entire programme taking in the four locations amounts to about EUR 31 million (of which EUR 13.5 million is for Fier and Gjirokastra), whilst financing includes a CEB loan (up to EUR 16 million) is provided through KfW. The investments in Fier and Gjirokastra are co-financed by the WBIF's Municipal Window Investment Grant of EUR 4.5 million.

The entire programme will positively impact the development of water and sanitation sector management. It will contribute to better and sustainable use of water as well as provide environmental and health benefits related to the correct management of wastewater and partly sewerage.

Partner Financial Organisations

Western Balkans Partners