ITALIAN SMALL WATER UTILITIES PROGRAMME LOAN

Financing of several small water utilities in Italy under a programme loan (PL)

The sub-operations of the PL are driven by the need to ensure compliance with EU and national environmental legislation. The investments will deliver substantial health advantages and environmental quality improvements in the form of a more rational use of water resources, higher ecological quality of surface and groundwater resources, and increased service coverage and quality. Finally, part of the investments under this PL are expected to be made in less-developed regions of Italy.

The investments in the water and wastewater sector are expected to have a positive net environmental and social impact, considering their focus on compliance and resource efficiency. Where and if applicable, the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU amending Directive 2011/92/EU, the Habitats Directive (92/43/EC) and the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) will be respected and the Bank will publish the full text of the relevant EIAs on its website.

The Bank will require the various promoters to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the individual sub-operations are tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directives 2014/25/EU and 92/13/EEC), as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the Official Journal of the EU, as and where required.