Bydgoszcz Water Supply

complete

The project concerns modernisation of the sewer system and its integration with newly constructed waste-water treatment plants. It also involves upgrading the water treatment station and parts of the water supply network as well as a water company corporate development programme. In addition, it will prepare the client for possible private sector participation in the future. The project aims to: The project will demonstrate limited recourse municipal utility lending, leading to improved market functioning and efficiency through better utility performance and city-utility contractual relationships. It will also prepare MWiK for possible private sector involvement in the future. MWiK, the Water Supply and Sewerage Company of Bydgoszcz, is a limited liability company fully owned by the city of Bydgoszcz. It employs 580 people and operates over 820 km of water supply network, two water treatment plants, 715 km of sewer network and three small waste-water treatment plants. Two new waste-water treatment plants are under construction. In 1998 MWiK had revenue of EUR 12 million. The EBRD is providing a senior corporate loan of PLN 108 million (EUR 24.5 million) to MWiK, expected to be co-financed with the EC Instrument of Structural Policies for Pre-Accession (ISPA). PLN 294 million (EUR 66.8 million). The investment programme will significantly improve existing water supply and sewerage services to the local population and will therefore assist the city of Bydgoszcz in meeting relevant national and EU environmental and health and safety standards. The water sector corporate development programme would offer opportunities to further develop the system and improve its efficiency, reduce resource utilisation, improve energy efficiency and further decrease discharges. Environmental issues relevant to this project include those related to construction works, such as noise, traffic disturbance and waste disposal. These issues are localised and temporary. The second group of issues relate to the operation of the water supply system and the sewerage system, such as raw water extraction, water treatment (including storage and handling of treatment chemicals), waste disposal (for example, filter medium for water purification), and nuisances (odour and noise). Environmental impact associated with these issues will be addressed through the implementation of mitigation measures incorporated into the investment programme. Technical cooperation will finance support to the corporate development programme, and support to procurement and project implementation.