The investment concerned the development of a new water supply source for the City of Pristina. At the time, water supply services suffered 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 was exacerbated by the high level of water losses, estimated at over 50%, and very low collection ratios of below 50%. Low water pressures and daily rationing of supplies lasting between eight to 12 hours were common.
The objectives of the investment were to provide a reliable long-term water supply system, achieve significant socioeconomic benefits, and improve public health through increased quantity and reliability of water supplies to the City of Pristina and surrounding municipalities.
WBIF technical assistance grant has funded the preparation of a feasibility study that projected future demand, 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 selected option has recommended the use of the multi-purpose Iber Lepenc canal and pumping station, 13.5 km transmission pipeline and a water treatment plant.
