Water Resources Management Project

closed

The Albania Water Resources Management Project aims to: (a) increase agricultural production, (b) increase the financial viability o f irrigation and drainage schemes, and (c) reduce the risk o f dam failures and floods. In addition, the project aims at achieving the interim (output) objective o f contributing to the first step towards the development o f comprehensive water resource management. There are five project components. Component 1 supports system repair and comprises the following subcomponents: 1) repair and improvement of irrigation facilities; 2) repair and improvement of flood control and drainage facilities; 3) repair of irrigation reservoirs and dams; 4) design and supervision;5) implementation of the environmental management plan, which consists of a training program introducing best practices and environmental monitoring for sub-projects; and 6) development of an investment program for phases 2 and 3. Component 2 finances institutional support for irrigation, drainage and flood management sector. Its subcomponents establish water users associations and a federation (FWUAs), and provide them training and technical support; institutional support for drainage boards; and support to the Department of Water Management in the agricultural ministry. Component 3 funds institutional support for water resource management by improving the legal and institutional framework, assessing flood-prone areas, preparing a dam safety program, and supporting river basin administration, hydrometric network and water quality measurement , and the technical secretariat. Component 4 finances project management and component 5 repays the Project Preparation Facility.