Bosnia-Herzegovina: EBRD in loan for Bosnian waste water system

The EBRD is lending €7 million to the water authorities in the town of Bijeljina, in the Republika Srpska, to help finance construction of a waste water network that will reduce water pollution and cut health hazards in the city in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

A further €4.5 million will be provided by the Bijeljina city authorities for the project that also aims to replace dilapidated asbestos cement water pipes.

The new network will address problems of pollution in the underground water system that is the only source of local drinking water for around 65,000 people.

The project also aims to increase the provision of water services to achieve supply 24 hours a day and 90 percent coverage in the city, up from 70 percent now, and 65 per cent coverage in rural areas.

The loan will also be used to modernise the water network, by replacing rundown water mains to reduce operating costs and increase efficiency. Also envisaged is the gradual upgrading of a water meter scheme, all of which will add to the positive environmental impact of the project.