DOLJ WATER AND WASTEWATER (FL 2015-0548)

The EIB loan will finance the State budget's contribution supporting the Dolj County water and wastewater investment programme. The project fits within the Large Infrastructure Operational Programme 2014-2020.

The purpose is to expand the water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Dolj county, to comply with the EU standards set by Directive 91/271/EEC and Directive 98/83/EC, as well as with the commitments undertaken by Romania's upon accession to the EU.

The EIB will finance the Romanian State contribution to the project which is financed with Structural Funds under the Large Infrastructure Operational Program (LIOP) 2014-2020. The project aims at improving water and wastewater infrastructure in Dolj County (Romania) through: (i) the extension and modernisation of centralised water supply service in localities with more than 50 inhabitants and (ii) collection and treatment of wastewater in agglomerations with more than 2,000 PE (population equivalent as per the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive). The project is in line with EU and EIB standards of environmental protection and climate action, and will contribute to mitigating market failures in the water sector by financing infrastructure that results in positive externalities in the form of avoided public health costs, environmental benefits from protection of surface water and groundwater abstraction areas. Furthermore, the project will enable socio-economic development in the project area and include wider benefits from better mitigation of and adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change. In addition to the advisory support provided by JASPERS, the Bank's more favourable conditions of the EIB loan (in particular a longer maturity and lower interest rate than available on the market) have a significant impact on the operation.

The project is expected to have a significant positive environmental and public health impact and contribute to meet the country's need in the water and sanitation sector, in relation to compliance with EU environmental legislation.

The Bank will require the borrower to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project are tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directive 2014/25/EU, as well as Directives 92/13/EEC and 89/665/EEC) as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union, with the publication of tender notices in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), as and where required.

This allocation finances the State Contribution to this project. Sector SECTION E : WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES // Water, sewerage.