Riga water company modernises water infrastructure, improves quality of life and paves the way for sustainable progress

As Riga’s industries, agriculture, and population grow, its water management system comes under pressure. That’s why SIA Rīgas ūdens, the largest water company in the Baltic states, plans to enhance vital water infrastructure. It will expand the water supply and sewer system, increase water production, and rehabilitate sewer networks and water supply pipelines. For residents like Inese Neļķe, a board member of the Berģinieki neighbourhood association, the impact hits close to home.

“For me, it’s important what kind of environment I leave after myself, regardless of whether I stay here in Berģi in the future, or whether my children will live here,” Neļķe says. “What matters to me is what I leave behind.”.

When neighbourhoods are linked to the city’s utility network, residents enjoy high-quality water and sanitation, along with a more secure and cleaner environment. This also reduces water consumption and leaks.

“We managed to create one of the most modern and powerful sewage systems in the Baltics,” says Agnese Ozolkāja, a board member at SIA Rīgas ūdens. “Thanks to our work, 98% of Riga’s people have access to the centralised system, and we are taking care of wastewater collection for about 96.5% of the service area population in Riga and its surroundings.

The European Investment Bank, which is owned by the 27 EU member states, is supporting the company’s efforts with a €60 million loan, signed in June 2022. That’s just one of many investments in Latvia by the European Union’s financing arm. Last year, we invested €82 million in Latvia.

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