The project "Water supply and sanitation in Cahul rayon"

The project "Water supply and sanitation in Cahul rayon" is implemented in the Republic of Moldova, within the German Financial Cooperation. This project is funded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank KfW and the European Union.

The overall goal of the project is to improve the safety and access of the population of Cahul rayon to quality drinking water supply and sewage services, by carrying out measures for rehabilitation and extension of water supply and wastewater disposal infrastructure, as well as improving operational and management capacities of the service provider.

The project is implemented by Cahul municipality jointly with the Regional Development Agency South (RDA South); the institutions form PEA 1 and PEA 2, respectively.

The direct beneficiary of the project is "Apa Canal Cahul" (ACC), the municipality's provider for water supply and sewage services.

Project funding is double and received in the form of grants granted to the Republic of Moldova from KfW Entwicklungsbank and the EU. The Federal Government of Germany shall provide the Republic of Moldova with a grant of EUR 23.5 million for water supply and sewage in Cahul rayon, and the European Union - EUR 10.9 million.

The project aims to modernize the drinking water treatment plant and a new wastewater treatment plant in Cahul city, expand the aqueduct and sewage network in Cahul city, Cotihana village and other localities from the rayon. At the same time, the project shall modernize the "Apa-Canal Cahul" distribution networks, so that the water supply and sewage service shall be raised to European standards, both for the inhabitants of Cahul city and for those from rural areas.

The project concept is based on a feasibility study developed in 2016/2017 by Posch & Partner Consulting Engineers Company. For the elaboration of the feasibility study, the Government of Germany allocated EUR 800 thousand, through the German Bank for Reconstruction (KfW), to the Government of the Republic of Moldova.

In March 2015, the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction and the German Bank for Reconstruction (KfW) signed a financial agreement detailing the services to be provided under the project, as well as the obligations and responsibilities of the parties involved.

Among the actions mentioned in this Agreement there are: the elaboration of the Feasibility Study regarding the modernization of the drinking water treatment plant and of a wastewater treatment plant in Cahul city; analysis of the opportunity of capital investments from a socio-economic, financial and ecological perspective; updating the existing plans regarding the modernization of the water supply and sewage system in Cahul rayon; elaboration of a Master Plan regarding the water supply and the provision of sewage network of Cahul rayon; evaluation of the organizational-legal structure of Apa-Canal companies and identification of support measures to ensure sustainable management.

The consulting company "Fichtner Water and Transportation GmbH - Fichtner Environment" SRL, in association with its subcontractors - "Fluxproiect" SRL and "Sachsenwasser GmbH", were granted the right to provide consulting services for the development of detailed design, tender documents and construction supervision, supported by complementary measures. The provision of services started on July 3, 2019.

According to the Financing Agreement signed with KfW Bank, RDA South will support the Municipality of Cahul in the execution of its tasks, in particular with respect to the participation in procurement of works, checking of invoices for construction works and signing off and ensuring the visibility of the project "Water supply and sanitation in Cahul rayon".

The project "Water supply and sanitation in Cahul rayon" provides for the development of water supply and sewage services in Cahul and four neighboring villages: Cotihana, Crihana Veche, Pașcani and Manta. Within the project there shall be built 8 km of water supply and sewage networks in Cotihana village, as well as sewage systems in Crihana Veche, Pașcani and Manta villages. Also, in Cahul, the water supply system will be restored and expanded by 11 km, the sewage networks will be extended, the pumping station will be repaired as well as the administrative building of the Municipal Enterprise "Apa Canal Cahul".