ALBA COUNTY WATER-WASTEWATER (FL2008-0170)

The project concerns drinking water treatment and distribution, as well as wastewater collection and treatment, located in Alba county in Romania.

The projects fall under the Romanian National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), priority Axis 1 of the Sectorial Operational Programmes (SOP) for Environment for the 2007-2013 programming period. This programme is financed by the Structural Programme Loan NSRF Cofinancing Facility. The purpose of the project is to achieve compliance with the EU Drinking Water and Urban Wastewater Directives as well as to promote greater sustainability in water services and resource management.

Construction of wastewater treatment plants with a capacity exceeding 150000 population equivalent are subject to compulsory environmental impact assessment (EIA), while all other projects fall under Annex II of the EIA Directive. Most of the Annex II projects comprising rehabilitation and development of networks in smaller agglomerations were screened out. The results of the EIA process were reviewed by DG Environment.

The promoter – Regional Operating Company, responsible for public procurement, is subject to EU public procurement regulations (EU Directive 2004/17/CEE for utilities). The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project have been/shall be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (2004/17/EC as well as Directives 89/665/EEC and 92/13/EEC) as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required.