Zagreb, February 18, 2010 – The Croatian Waters and the World Bank organized two workshops, one in Poreč for the northern Adriatic, and one in Split for the southern Adriatic, on the Second Coastal Cities Pollution Control Project, also known as the Adriatic Project, aimed at safeguarding the quality of coastal waters and the environment, both of strategic importance to Croatia’s tourism industry, the livelihoods of local communities and marine life. The aim of the workshop was to inform already participating and potentially interested municipalities and municipal water utilities about this project, its implementation structure and the role and requirements of project participants as well as share experiences by municipalities that have already participated in the first project.
The second Coastal Cities Pollution Control Project represents the second phase of a larger program which started in 2004 by the Government of Croatia and Croatian Waters, partially financed by a World Bank loan.. The ambitious program is estimated to cost Euro 280 million of which the World Bank may finance Euro 140 million. The first phase of the program was implemented in 11 towns on the coast and supported by a loan of Euro 40 million. The second phase scales up the program to a further 30 coastal cities supported by a loan of Euro 60 million and a GEF grant of US$ 6.4 million. In addition to the substantial counterpart funds provided by the central government, over 50% of the total financing is provided by the future user of the facilities.
The project is focusing on the reconstruction and expansion of the sewerage network, main collectors, and pump stations, and the construction and rehabilitation of wastewater treatment facilities and submarine outfalls.
Significant results have already been achieved during the first phase of the Program:
- 170km of sewerage collectors have been constructed with 40 pumping stations
- 3 submarine outfalls have been constructed
- 7 wastewater treatment plants have been commissioned
- 30,000 people gained access to sewers
- the quantity of wastewater treated in the service area increased from 2% to 36% serving a population equivalent of 329,000.
Phase two will seek to improve the efficiency and sustainability of wastewater services in 30 coastal cities where only 49 percent of the population has adequate wastewater collection systems and only 16 percent of the wastewater is treated. The overall program will help Croatia meet European Union environmental standards needed for successful EU accession.
The project will also help reduce the level of nutrients and other pollutants entering Croatia’s coastal waters from households and industries, and will test innovative wastewater treatment solutions in selected municipalities.
