New National Water Operator Presented: Phase Two of Water Supply and Sewerage Reform to Start January 2026

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku announced on September 3^rd during a press conference the presentation of the National Water Operator and the launch of phase two of the reform in the water supply and sewerage sector. This step is considered an important milestone for modernizing the management of water resources and improving services for citizens.

The National Water Operator will take responsibility for water production, including the management of strategic water resources, main reservoirs, and drinking water treatment plants, such as Bovilla and Maskuria. Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Companies will continue to distribute water and provide services to customers, ensuring a clear functional separation between production and distribution.

Phase one of the reform, launched in 2021, consolidated 58 former municipal water companies into 15 regional water utility companies. As a result, more than 100,000 new customers have been connected, illegal connections have been reduced, and nine regional companies no longer have obligations to energy operators. However, water losses remain high in some areas, reflecting the sector’s ongoing challenges.

In phase two, the main reform measures will focus on eliminating illegal connections, investing in the primary network to reduce technical losses and ensure optimal pressure, and gradually removing outdated rooftop tanks, which pose risks to water safety and quality. Additionally, the reform aims to standardize supply conditions and tariffs nationwide, ensuring equal service for all citizens.

Minister Balluku stated that after the establishment of the National Water Operator, phase three will begin, scheduled to be operational in January 2027. Regional water utility companies will continue to operate as usual without changing their day-to-day functions. Subsequently, these companies will be divided into two functional units: one focusing on maintenance and investments in the distribution network, and the other handling water supply, billing, and revenue collection. This process completes a long reform journey, which has had both positive and challenging moments, aiming to create a more sustainable and professional sector.

The reform has clear objectives by 2027: 24-hour water supply in urban areas, reduction of losses below 35%, and increased administrative efficiency and financial transparency. Prime Minister Rama compared this process to the reform of the energy sector, where functional separation and improved compliance delivered tangible results.

With the creation of the National Water Operator as the central production entity and regional companies managing distribution, the reform aims to provide fairer and more sustainable service for all water consumers, ensuring more professional management and a transparent, monitorable system.