Austria: EIB loan for Aqua Burgenland Sopron cross-border project

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is making available EUR 39 million for improving water infrastructure in the area around Lake Neusiedl. The loan will finance the upgrading of Burgenland’s water supply systems and their connection to the Hungarian system in the Pannonian Basin. The loan agreement was signed today in Luxembourg by EIB Vice-President Wilhelm Molterer and representatives of the Burgenland Region.

With a term of 40 years, this is one of the EIB’s longest ever loans in Austria. The promoters of the “Aqua Burgenland Sopron” project are the North and Central Burgenland Water Boards. The loan will finance the interconnection of Burgenland’s water supply systems and their connection to Hungary’s Sopron network in order to provide backup capacity to meet water demand even in peak periods.

Specifically, the loan will finance the construction of additional water mains, connections between pipe systems, tanks and reservoirs, along with the rehabilitation and expansion of water treatment facilities.

At the signing ceremony, Wilhelm Molterer said: “Ensuring a high quality affordable drinking water supply, including in peak periods, is one of life’s essential services. Aqua Burgenland Sopron provides an excellent example of successful cross-border cooperation between municipalities and the EIB is particularly keen to help secure the long-term planning of this project.”