Creating Water Utility Educational Resources for Albania

The WPI team presenting their final project findings in Tirana

Since 2013, SHUKALB has proudly collaborated with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), USA, on impactful water and environmental projects. Each year, WPI student teams spend eight weeks in Albania, addressing pressing local challenges.

Last year, a team of four WPI students—Kevin Andersen, Benjamin Laber, Jack Progebin, and Corinne White—worked on an Interactive Qualifying Project titled “Creating Water Utility Educational Resources for Albania.” The project aimed to strengthen public understanding of drinking water and wastewater systems across the country.

The students conducted semi-structured interviews with water sector experts and surveyed the public using a Likert-scale questionnaire to assess perceptions and knowledge of water utilities. They identified key gaps in public knowledge, workforce training, and system operations, including a general mistrust of utilities and limited awareness of water treatment processes.

Based on their findings, the team developed a bilingual public website and a series of infographics. These resources explain water and wastewater processes, promote conservation practices, and provide clear, accessible information for Albanian communities. The website—soon to be launched for public access—will feature an interactive map of Albania’s 11 water and wastewater treatment plants, FAQs, and educational content. The infographics are designed for wide distribution through social media and public spaces. The project page and full website will be made available to the public shortly.

The project provides SHUKALB with practical resources to enhance public engagement, support staff capacity building, and assist utilities in the ongoing modernization of Albania’s water services. We commend the WPI team for their innovative work and anticipate these tools will contribute to increased public awareness and more sustainable water practices nationwide.