Press Release, February 2000
World Bank Approves Water Supply Urgent Rehabilitation Project For Albania

Contact Person:
Gina Ciagne (202) 458-4166
email: Gciagne@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, February 24, 2000--The World Bank today approved a US$10 million credit for the Water Supply Urgent Rehabilitation Project which will support the government of Albania's efforts to improve the services of water supply in the municipalities of Durres, Fier, Lezhe, and Saranda.

The project will rehabilitate components of the water supply systems which are prone to failure and/or which are causing extremely high operation costs or health risks due to their state of disrepair. It includes the following components:

· Durres-Wells Pumping Station and Pressure Break Tank--This component will include the construction of seven new wells in Fushe Kuqe to replace existing ones; replacing pumps in the wells and in the pumping station; replacing and rearranging the collection to the suction tanks; and replacing the existing break pressure tank.

· Durres-Transmission Main Improvements--This component includes the construction of a valve chamber (secure structures with locking covers, housing a meter and control valve for each connection) on each of the 20 connections to the transmission main from the source of water to the Durres city service reservoir.

· Durres-Rural Area, Feasibility Study--This component includes the examination of alternative measures to provide a controlled water supply service to rural areas and to substantially reduce leakage, waste, and misuse of water.

· Fier-Well Field Upgrade--This component includes security fencing for each of the nine operating wells to reduce the risk of contamination by the public and by domestic animals. It will also include the establishment of a water sampling program for the wells and the nearby Vjoses River to provide a warning of contamination of river-borne oil wastes. Further, this component will include the rehabilitation of well heads, and replacement of the existing obsolete pumping and electrical equipment.

· Fier-Distribution Mains--This component will include the replacement of parts of three distribution feeder mains which convey water from the Fier distribution service reservoir to a central valve chamber. Part of the mains that are severely deteriorated will be replaced.

· Lezhe-Distribution Replacement--This component will include the replacement of a distribution main and the disconnection of a supply main to a disused paper mill which forms part of a ring main, which also supplies the communities of Quendra and Zemra e Katundit.

· Lezhe-Wells and Pumping Stations--Because Lezhe and the surrounding areas depend on water from the Barbulloja well field, the three operating pumping stations at the well field will be rehabilitated, including the replacement of mechanical and electrical equipment.

· Saranda-Navarice Spring--This component will include the replacement of the gravity transmission main from Navarice Spring to the Saranda distribution reservoir.

· All Cities-Repair of Visible Leakage--This component will include the repair of visible leaks primarily in distribution mains.

· Consultants Services (Excluding a Feasibility Study)--A consultant company with international experience will carry out the final design and supervision of, and assist the Project Implementation Unit in, project management (procurement and financial management).

· All Cities-Operation Enhancement--A consultant with international experience in network analysis and operation will make basic measurements and analysis of the networks and recommend operation enhancement.

· All Cities-Project Implementation Units

The total cost of the project is US$14.64 million, including US$4.64 million from the government of Albania. The credit will be disbursed on standard IDA terms and will be repayable in 40 years, including a 10-year grace period. Albania joined the Bank in 1991, and since 1992, commitments to the country total approximately US$505.4 million for 36 projects.