Two agreements have been signed in Rijeka for the performance of the new lots of works that will take place within the EU project “Improvement in water and utility infrastructure in the territory of the Rijeka Agglomeration”.
The agreements were signed in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković, the mayor of Rijeka Marko Filipović, the deputy mayor Goran Palčevski, the president of the City Council Ana Trošelj, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Davor Filipović, the general director of Hrvatske vode, (national entity for water management) Zoran Đuroković and a number of guests.
Owing to the agreements signed today for the construction of the drainage system – Rijeka extension and the construction of the drainage system – Kastav extension, the total value of which exceeds HRK 447 million (without VAT), the works planned within the project “Improvement in water and utility infrastructure in the territory of the Rijeka Agglomeration” continue. The project includes the construction and optimisation of the public drainage system along with the construction of a new waste water treatment plant and it represents one of the largest investments in utility infrastructure in the Republic of Croatia.
mayor Filipović
The total value of the EU project “Improvement in water and utility infrastructure in the territory of the Rijeka Agglomeration” amounts to HRK 1.76 billion (without VAT), and it is co-financed by the European Union in the amount up to HRK 1.25 billion (without VAT), which accounts for 71.33% of the costs. The EU funds are provided under the Operational Program “Competitiveness and Cohesion” for the period 2014-2020.
The mayor of Rijeka, Marko Filipović, reminded that the project “Improvement in water and utility infrastructure in the territory of the Rijeka Agglomeration” is the largest one in Croatia after the project relating to the construction of the Pelješac Bridge. “These two LOTs will improve utility infrastructure in the territory of Rijeka. They are a guarantee of clean potable water and a clean sea”, said the mayor of Rijeka, Marko Filipović, adding that the project was extremely extensive and complex, and he had thanked the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the competent ministries and “Hrvatske vode” for their support in the implementation of the project. Filipović asked all fellow citizens for patience and understanding due to the traffic difficulties that the execution of the works would cause.
The project “Improvement in water and utility infrastructure in the territory of the Rijeka Agglomeration” envisages the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant on Delta, of a high second stage of purification and the construction and reconstruction of about 217 kilometres of sewerage and 125 pumping stations, with simultaneous execution of works on approximately 100 kilometres of public water supply in two cities – Rijeka and Kastav and three municipalities – Viškovo, Čavle and Jelenje that form the territory of the Rijeka Agglomeration.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković welcomed the continuation of this project, which will raise the quality of life of the citizens of Rijeka as well as the other cities and municipalities where the project is being implemented.
“This project worth almost EUR 300 million is important not only because it will increase the number of connections for the citizens of Rijeka and the Rijeka Agglomeration, prevent pollution and reduce water losses in the territory of Rijeka and Kastav. Investments in water supply and drainage systems through agglomerations throughout Croatia, including Rijeka, are important for raising the standard of living of the inhabitants and a better quality of life. It is also an important fact that resources are funded by the EU in the amount of 70%, about 20% of the funds are allocated by the Ministry of Economy and “Hrvatske vode”, and the remaining part by the local community,” said Prime Minister Plenković.
The contracts were signed by Sanjin Purić, the company GP Krk which will perform the works and by Andrej Marochini, director of the utility company Vodovod i kanalizacija, promotor of the project “Improvement in water and utility infrastructure in the territory of the Rijeka Agglomeration”.
The agreement “Construction of the drainage system – Expansion Rijeka” includes construction works on the drainage system in certain streets without constructed sewers in the city of Rijeka in the quarters: Kantrida, Gornji Zamet, Turnić, Pletenci, Hosti, Rujevica, Pehlin, Donja Drenova, Gornja Drenova, Banderovo, Brašćine, Pulac, Trsat and Sušačka Draga. In parallel, the reconstruction of the public water supply system will be carried out in certain sections. Moreover, the construction of the water supply system in some streets without public water supply system is planned, which will be financed by local funds. The works are worth HRK 272,238,235.78 (without VAT) and the planned duration of the works is 53 months.
The agreement “Construction of the drainage system – Extension Kastav” includes construction works on the drainage system in the territory of the town of Kastav (the old core of the town of Kastav, Spinčići, Brnini, Belići, Tometići, Donji Rubeši, Donji Čikovići, Brestovice, Tuhtani) and the city of Rijeka (Srdoči, Martinkovac). In parallel, the reconstruction of the public water supply system will be carried out in certain sections. Moreover, the construction of the water supply system in some streets without the public water supply system in the city of Rijeka and the city of Kastav is planned, which will be financed by local funds. The value of these works is HRK 175,123,042.71 (without VAT) and the expected duration is 59 months.
Let us remind you that the main goals of the project “Improvement in water and utility infrastructure in the territory of the Rijeka Agglomeration” are the preservation and protection of water resources.
Upon project completion, a larger number of households connected to the public wastewater drainage system will be enabled, optimisation and improved functioning of the existing public drainage system, as well as an increase in the quality of water supply. The current connection of the population of the Rijeka agglomeration to public sewerage will increase from 75% to around 92% by the end of the project.
In addition to the extension and additional construction, the optimisation of the existing mixed public drainage system is also envisaged in order to prevent negative impacts on the sea and relieve the existing drainage system. Simultaneously with the works on the public drainage system, parts of the public water supply system will be replaced in areas where it is impossible to carry out works on the public sewage system without damaging the water supply pipelines. This will reduce losses in the water supply system by about 8% and increase the efficiency of the water supply system.”
