Miluo River Disaster Risk Management and Comprehensive Environment Improvement Project (Hunan)

active

This promotional loan is the co-financing of a multi-sectoral project with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Pingjiang County in the Chinese province of Hunan. The project takes a holistic approach and includes investments in central and decentralized sewage and water supply systems in urban and rural areas, as well as investments in the renaturation and resilience of the river catchment area (wetlands, flood protection), circular agriculture measures and the development of an integrated environmental risk management system. The aim of the project is to improve environmental protection in the Miluo river catchment area (especially water protection) and to adapt to climate change. The city of Pingjiang County, with around 1.1 million inhabitants (as of 2018), is characterized by relatively high levels of poverty and income inequality. In rural areas (around 55% of the population), around half of households still do not have access to adequate sewage disposal. Even in urban areas, the existing systems cannot keep pace with population growth, urbanization and economic development. As a result, a large proportion of waste and wastewater from domestic, urban and agricultural use is discharged untreated into the adjacent Miluo River, whose water quality is constantly deteriorating. The problem is further exacerbated by extreme weather events. Heavy rain and flooding already occur frequently and encourage the entry of pollutants into the waterways. The majority of the water and wastewater components are to be financed from the FC funding loan of up to EUR 60 million - water treatment plant and pipes - separation of rainwater and wastewater sewage systems - small sewage treatment plants for schools, hospitals and private households The project sponsor is the Pingjiang County Government, which has set up a central project management unit to monitor and coordinate all project activities.