Persistent water shortages and supply rationing affect service areas of Regional Water Companies (RWCs) in Central and South-East Kosovo*. The situation has been compounded by the rapid growth of urban areas and inadequate water resources.
In these circumstances, the development of the Lepenc catchment has been recognised as a high priority. The Feasibility Study (FS) for the construction of the Lepenc Hydro System, completed in March 2020, has considered several development options and recommended a two-phased approach (Phase 1 and 2) for the implementation of the investment.
Phase 1 includes the construction of the Lower Firaja Diversion Dam and the accompanying water transmission pipelines to the service areas of the three RWCs. Phase 2 includes the construction of the Upper Shtime Dam and water transfer and transport canals for irrigation purposes.
The Lepenc canal's construction and the two impounding reservoirs (surface accumulations/dams) in the municipalities of Firaja and Shtime, respectively, would secure a reliable source of water beyond the five most affected municipalities (Ferizaj, Shtime, Kacanik, Kamenica and Gjilan). The transfer of water from the Lepenc River Basin to the Ibër River Basin would eliminate existing deficiencies in water supply in other surrounding municipalities. The proposed solution represents the complete hydro-system for Central and Eastern Kosovo, covering approximately 40% of the territory.
WBIF allocated a technical assistance grant in June 2021 to ensure effective and rapid preparation of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Preliminary Design (PD) for Phase 1.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence
