Memorandum of Understanding has been signed on 31st March 2017 in Leskovac between Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia and the City of Leskovac, which marks the beginning of preparation of technical and tender documentation for implementation of “Leskovac Wastewater Collection sub-project”. Preparation of technical documentation is financed by the Government of Sweden through Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency SIDA, all within the program “The Priority Environmental Infrastructure for Development Project” (PEID).

Goran Cvetanović, the Mayor of City of Leskovac, highlighted the importance of the project for citizens of Leskovac.

“The signing of this Memorandum means commitment of the Government of Republic of Serbia and City of Leskovac to start with problem solving regarding the city main collector as soon as possible.  That creates conditions for making decision regarding allocating donor funds and implementation of the whole Wastewater management project in Leskovac. I would like to say that there is a team of people, on behalf of the City of Leskovac, who are ready to do everything necessary for successful implementation of this project. The aim is that our fellow citizens and future generations, live in a healthier environment”, said Cvetanović, Mayor of the City of Leskovac.

Stana Božović, State Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, highlighted that the preparation of technical and tender documentation will provide the beginning of construction of a new collector and the necessary infrastructure in the field of water management in Leskovac.

“This project will enable Leskovac to operate modern plant for wastewater treatment, in line with the European environmental standards. The Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry will continue to provide support to the management of Leskovac, so we could together provide sustainable use of water resources and a healthy environment to all citizens”, said Stana Božović, State secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia.

She added that the central plant for waste water treatment was funded by the European Union while the obligation of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the relevant Ministry is funding and construction of facility for treatment of sludge, generated by treatment of the municipal wastewaters.

“Thanks to the efforts of the Mayor of Leskovac, the Ministry and the successful cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the City authorities of Leskovac will correct the mistakes of their predecessors and enable the implementation of this project. I am convinced that the process of selecting the contractor will soon end successfully and that we will come back in Leskovac together, to open the construction works”, said Stana Božović, State Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia.

In addition to the projects in Nis and Leskovac, the construction of wastewater treatment infrastructure awaits all cities in Serbia. As it is known at this moment, Serbia is treating only about 8% of municipal wastewater. The plan is to harmonize Serbian standards with European standards in this area until 2041. That means that in the next 25 years we need to build 320 municipal wastewater treatment plants, with a total value of around 5 billion euros.