Construction works started last week on the primary collector of the wastewater treatment plant in Podgorica, Montenegro. The event was attended by Dusko Markovic, Prime Minister of Montenegro, Aivo Orav, Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Robert Weber, Ambassador of Germany, Zeljko Uljarevic, Head of the KfW Office in Montenegro, Aleksandar Drljevic, Chief Negotiator of Montenegro with the European Union, Ivan Vukovic, Mayor of Podgorica and representatives of the beneficiary, the Waterworks and Sewage Company of Podgorica.

The new plant will ensure adequate collection and treatment of the wastewater generated by the city of Podgorica, now serviced by a 1970s plant, which no longer meets the required level of treatment and demand. Consequently, about 50% of the effluent is discharged directly into the Moraca River and then into the Skadar Lake - a Ramsar wetland area of international importance, jointly managed by Montenegro and Albania.

Apart from mitigating the negative impact of untreated wastewater on biodiversity, the new investment will reduce the health hazards generated by the untreated effluent permeating surface and underground waters in the two countries.

With a total value of more than €50 m, this project includes four components - a primary 5 km long collector and new 20 km of sewerage network, on which works started last week; further a new bridge on the Moraca River, where works will begin in two months and construction of the wastewater treatment plant, planned for the beginning of next year.

The project benefits from a €10.1 m WBIF grant, mobilised through Bilateral Donors' contributions, a €35 m KfW loan and €5.2 m contributed by the beneficiary. In addition, the project has benefited from project preparation technical assistance provided by the German Government.

Aivo Orav, Head of EU Delegation in Montenegro: ’This is an important step forward for Montenegro in preserving the environment, in line with European Union standards. And most importantly, this is a great thing for the citizens of Podgorica’.

Ivan Vukovic, Mayor of Podgorica: ’We are especially proud, that our partners from the European Union have recognized the importance of this project and provided a considerable grant through the Western Balkans Investment Framework.’

Speech of Aivo Orav, Head of EU Delegation in Montenegro

More information on the project Podgorica Wastewater Treatment Plant here.

More information about the WBIF Bilateral Donors here.

More information on the WBIF activities in Montenegro here.