Yerevan Water & Wastewater Project

closed

The objective of the Yerevan Water and Wastewater Project (YWWAP) is to provide Yerevan with safe, continuous water supply, while reducing environmental pollution. The project will have two components: the YWWP Fund, and Technical Assistance. Component 1 - Specific YWWP Fund investments to be undertaken , will be identified by the operator during implementation, but generally they will fall into three categories: a) Energy savings: Significant further reduction of energy cost is planned. System components consuming high amounts of energy require capital investment to divert water production from pumped, to gravity water resources and to phase out old, inefficient pumping plants; b) Reliability in the provision of water supply and in operational control: Water abstraction is very high in comparison to consumption levels. Most Yerevan Water and Sanitation company (YWSC) water facilities are old, have been poorly maintained and have received minimal investment for many years. Capital investment in village supply lines, distribution networks, block service connections, and daily regulating water reservoirs are required to reduce losses and provide continuous water supply; and, c) Reduction of environmental pollution: Investments are required in sewage collection and small pumping stations. Sewage is currently discharged directly into watercourses, in some cases in recreational areas of central Yerevan. The existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has fallen into dereliction, and its complete reconstruction or replacement is not currently affordable, unless donor funding can be secured. Component 2 - Technical Assistance - will fund the interim operational management of YWSC, project financial and technical audits, and Project Management Unit (PMU) incremental operating expenses.