Thanks to this project for the construction of wastewater treatment plant in Nis, our country is a step closer to meeting stringent European standards for the environment. The pace of implementation is currently being discussed in the on-going negotiations for Chapter 27, dedicated to the environment and climate change. Chapter 27 is one of the 35 chapters of the acquis which form the basis of the accession negotiations for each EU candidate country. Naturally, it is worth mentioning that the motivation for the implementation of these regulations should primarily be to improve the quality of our environment, and then paving the way to the European Union.
Wastewater management is one of the areas that require most funds for adaptation of our administrative and institutional infrastructures in preparation for European Union integration. The estimated value of the future wastewater treatment plant in Nis amounts to around 60 million euros. The construction of this plant is one of the largest and most important green investments in Serbia and is being implemented with assistance from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the European Union and the City of Nis supported by the Republic of Serbia. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency is financing the development of technical documentation through PEID program. Funds for construction works should be provided mostly by the European Union IPA, and the balance provided by the City of Nis and the Republic of Serbia through the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
At the end of the year, the City of Nis will be in a position to announce two international tenders for selecting of contractors – one for the construction of wastewater treatment and the other for the construction of main collectors and extension of the sewage network.
Introductory activities for the implementation of such a large project started last year and the successful completion of land expropriation by the City Council is underway.
Ida Reutersward, First Secretary in the Embassy of Sweden in Serbia, who is in charge of development cooperation, expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the participants in the preparation of this Project. After successful cooperation over the past two decades, during which Sweden helped Serbia in many sectors, with giving special attention and importance to environmental protection, we are now ahead of the realization of a unique project in this area, she says.
The beginning of works is expected in the following year.