Interview with Mr.Edmond Koçi: A Life in Service to the Citizens of Durres

A few years ago, in our electronic newsletter “Burimi,” we created a section dedicated to interviews with various employees from water supply and sewerage companies throughout Albania. These interviews aimed to highlight the most valuable asset in the water sector: the men and women proving the vital water supply and sanitation services for all consumers. This year, we want to get back to this good practice and share with “Burimi” readers the experience of professionals in our sector.

We are re-starting this good practice with the interview we had with Mr. Edmond Koçi, who has been working in the water sector for over 40 years, currently serving as the Director of Distribution at Durres Region Water Supply and Sewerage Company (Durres RWSSC) for over a year.

For the first time, Mr. Koçi started his job in June 1983 as a simple worker at the Electro-Water Company in the city of Durres, working for about 9 years. Later, he worked as a city operator, dispatcher, and shift supervisor. From 1994 until the establishment of Durres RWSSC, he was the chief dispatcher of the Water Supply and Sewerage department, and for the past year, he has been serving as the director of distribution at Durres RWSSC.

How many years have you been working in the water sector?

I started working in June 1983, and this June marks 41 years of work in this utility.

What do you like most about the profession you’ve chosen?

When I started working, it was challenging. Even years later, this job had its unique challenges. It’s something you connect with closely, and without realizing, you learn that you can’t do anything else; you’ve found yourself in this position. Of course, there are challenges, as implementing the approved schedule to supply drinking water to the entire coverage area often requires dealing with various issues. But it’s a job I have generally enjoyed and desired.

What do you enjoy about the work you do?

Certainly, everyone’s satisfaction is that the task is performed well, and in my profession, distributing drinking water often comes with its problems. It’s essential to fulfil the objectives set by Durres RWSSC to supply the population with water to the best of our abilities and within the constraints of distribution network conditions and reservoirs.

What are the biggest challenges in your work?

As I mentioned earlier, a challenge remains the regular supply of drinking water to the entire population. On the other hand, in Durres, we have areas with a reduced water supply schedule, while there are also areas that receive water 24 hours a day. So, the objective is to supply the entire coverage area with 24-hour water and address citizens’ complaints about emerging issues. To achieve this, there are, of course, problems and obstacles. Firstly, the aging network and the condition of reservoirs do not allow us to achieve such a thing, as significant investments are needed to realize it.

Can you describe your typical workday?

The work begins with reports from shift supervisors regarding the water supply during the night and possible issues that may have arisen. Then, part of the job involves addressing complaints about water shortages or pollution, overseeing the water chlorination process, checking reservoirs, and so on.

What message do you want to give to the younger generation interested in working in the water sector?

I want to encourage young people to work in this sector because it is crucial and vital for the population. I believe that they will find satisfaction in this work, but before recommending such a thing, I would like to see an increase in the current wage levels because, at the moment, young people seem more interested in migrating than working in their own country.