Pristina Water Supply and Sewerage Network

Water supply systems in Kosovo have suffered from lack of investment leading to inadequate and dilapidated infrastructure following the breakup of Yugoslavia, the war and the subsequent transition period. There is now a wide programme in many municipalities addressing these weaknesses, often combined with wastewater provision. The capital, Pristina, has particular problems with a supply that would only get worse with rapid population growth. A project has been embarked upon to make a secure and adequate long-term system and WBIF is assisting with two grants, one provides a capital investment grant while the other provides technical assistance.

The project concerns the development of a new water supply source for the City of Pristina. The existing water supply services suffer from chronic water shortages for the residents of the City and those living in the surrounding 6 municipalities served by the Pristina Water Company. The situation is exacerbated by the high level of water losses, estimated at over 50%, and very low collection ratios of below 50 %, a likely consequence of consumer dissatisfaction with the poor level of services. Low water pressures and daily rationing of supplies lasting between eight to 12 hours are common. In addition, some of the recent urban developments in the City cannot be served by the existing system. Existing water supply sources are therefore grossly inadequate for a modern city and surrounding areas with a current population estimated at over 550,000.

The objectives of the project are to provide a reliable long term water supply system and achieve significant socioeconomic benefits and improved public health impact through increased quantity and reliability of water supplies to the City of Pristina and surrounding municipalities.

WBIF assisted with two grants. A “Municipal Windows” investment grant, managed by KfW, concerns the rehabilitation of the water supply system and the sewerage system. There will be improved sustainability of potable water and sanitation services by a more effective and efficient operation. Water losses will be cut by the rehabilitation of main pipelines and parts of the supply network, installation of water meters, rehabilitation of Badovc water treatment plant, as well as the rehabilitation of the sewerage system.

A complementary technical assistance project prepared a feasibility study that identifies the least cost option for meeting future needs. The study projected future demands, assessed sustainable yields from multiple existing sources of supply, and evaluated alternative development options based on technical and economic criteria with detailed cost estimates to identify the most cost-efficient option. The option selected recommended use of the multi-purpose Iber Lepenc canal and pumping station, 13.5 km transmission pipeline and a water treatment plant.

The financing plan for the Iber Lepenc canal option has a total investment of €35 million financed from KfW loan of €20 million with the remainder made up of IPA and national funding.

The contract for the construction of transmission mains and a water treatment plant has been awarded and the contractor mobilised in October 2014.