Empowering Citizens through Infrastructure: The Rural Water Supply IV Project in South Western Albania

Empowering Citizens through Infrastructure: The Rural Water Supply IV Project in South Western Albania

The Rural Water Supply IV (RWSP IV) project is set to become one of the largest capital investments in water and sewage systems in the Municipality of Himara and the Administrative Unit of Orikum, Municipality of Vlora, Albania. The project, implemented by the Albanian Development Fund (ADF) with a soft loan from the Federal German Government through KfW, will rehabilitate and extend rural and municipal water supply and sewerage systems, including wastewater treatment in two towns and various villages located in two municipalities of south-western Albania – Himara and Vlora.

The RWSP IV project aims to benefit around 80,000 inhabitants and tourists directly by 2025. The town and villages of Himara Municipality that are included in the RWSP IV infrastructure investment measures are located within a radius of about 14 km around Himara town (air-line distance).

The project will focus on the construction of a new water intake in Lepusha and the construction of a transmission main from Lepusha to the branch Himara. The transmission main will extend to Pilur, Kudhes, Himara, Livadhi, Jale, Himara Fshat, and Vuno. There will be the construction of new and rehabilitation of existing reservoirs, extension of existing and construction of new distribution systems for Himara, Livadhi, Jale, Himara Fshat, Vuno, and Borsh, including a new water intake at the Borsh spring, construction of new pumping stations, and two Small Hydro Power Plants (SHPP).

The project will also include rehabilitation and extension of the sewerage system in Himara, construction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) with a capacity of 16,000 PE, and construction of a sea outfall. In addition, water supply measures, including a new reservoir, and rehabilitation and extension of the existing WWTP in Orikum, the extension of the existing wastewater system in Orikum and surrounding villages, including Radhime, Jonufer, and Dukat i Ri, are part of the project.

Due to such significant investments, a team from KfW Sustainable Urban Development led by Mr. Arne Goos, Director of KFW for Municipal Infrastructure for Western Balkans and Turkey, and Mrs. Carolin Katlun, Portfolio Manager for Albania, visited the ongoing infrastructure under construction in Himara Municipality in March 2023. A joint meeting was organized with the Mayor of Himara Municipality, Mr. Jorgo Goro, Administrator of Himara Water Utility Company, Mr. Andrea Goro and the institutional consultants of RSWP IV of GFA and Valu Add Management Services. The main theme of the discussions was the empowerment of people and the local economy, supporting sustainable tourism that such capex investment will bring to the region.

The RWSP IV project is a significant investment in the water and sewage systems of the Municipality of Himara and the Administrative Unit of Orikum, which will benefit thousands of inhabitants and tourists in the region. The project’s success will ensure better water supply and wastewater treatment, leading to a better quality of life for the people in the region, as well as contributing to sustainable tourism development through a safer and healthier environment and coastal area and waters.

The project is a clear partnership commitment of Albanian Government to improving the country’s infrastructure and enhancing the lives of its citizens.