AQUAFIN WASTE WATER TREATMENT VII

The project comprises schemes for the construction of collector sewers, storm overflows and small and medium size wastewater treatment plants, plus some upgrading of existing waste water treatment plants for tertiary treatment in the Flemish Region.

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The investment programme will improve aquatic environmental conditions throughout the Flemish Region. The entire Flemish Region has been declared as sensitive and therefore tertiary treatment will be provided at all medium and large WWTPs. Although Belgium as a whole is lagging in compliance with EC Directives, Flanders has made good progress to fully meet the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EC.

EIA Directive 97/11/EC has been transposed into Flemish Law as Decreet VI. Reg18/12/02, Besl. VI. Reg. 10/12/04. Aquafin has a good environmental awareness and has developed operating procedures to optimise the performance and cost-effectiveness of its systems. Aquafin has full ISO14001 accreditation for its EIA procedures and fully complies with Natura 2000, European Bird and Habitat Directives. Some projects, i.e. all the WWTPs will fall either under Annex 1 or Annex 2 of the EIA directive. Aquafin will be requested to provide timely information available to the Bank about its compliance with producing either the EIA or the respective EIS.

The program falls under the Procurement Directive 2004/18/EC. Although the promoter formally operates as a private company, tender procedures are required to comply with the EC public procurement Directives, which have been institutionalised. This is acceptable to the Bank.