Water and Sanitation Systems Construction is starting in Khashuri - funded by AFD and the EU
Thursday, April 13, 2023
The construction works for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of the water supply and infrastructure in the city of Khashuri were officially launched on 11 April 2023. The first phase of the works will ensure better access to drinking water and sanitation services for the inhabitants of the region. The project is implemented by the United Water Supply Company of Georgia (UWSCG) and co-financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union (EU).
In Khashuri and the neighboring settlements, water is currently only supplied a few hours per day and wastewater is discharged without treatment into a transboundary river, affecting negatively the environment, the local livelihood and the health of populations.
Thanks to the European Union providing a Euro7.15 million grant through AFD (Euro7.15 million) and an AFD credit line (Euro65 million), the state-owned operator of water and wastewater infrastructure UWSCG will manage the rehabilitation works from April 2023 and develop its capacities to manage water and sanitation sustainably.
The next phases are also under preparation and Khashuri will have a 24/7 drinking water supply and access to sanitation services. The construction of the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) will mitigate the impact on the environment and ensure the discharge of treated wastewater into the river.
"Khashuri Water Supply Project has entered an active phase. Today, we discussed the progress of the project and the measures planned. It is important that active construction works related to the project will start soon. It has to be noted that in the history of independent Georgia, a project of this scale in terms of water supply and drainage has not been implemented in Khashuri, which will solve a huge problem for the population of Khashuri and nearby villages. I would like to thank the French Development Agency and the European Union for their contribution to the implementation of this large-scale project," said Mzia Giorgobiani, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia.
"We are pleased to be present on the launch of the rehabilitation works of Water and Sanitation Systems in Khashuri municipality. France within Team Europe is mobilized to share our know-how and water management expertise to Georgia that will serve to better accessibility for the population of Khashuri to the key resource - water in the region, as well as the improvement of health and sanitary conditions and protection of the natural environment, including climate change and biodiversity. This collaboration between Georgia and France and more generally, European partners will insure a sustainable and shared growth and bring the country closer to the European standards of water resource management. " stated Sheraz Gasri, HE Ambassador of France to Georgia.
"Clean water is essential for both the people living in Khashuri and the nature surrounding the town. The European Union is proud to invest into technology and infrastructure that will provide reliable access to drinking water and ensure wastewater treatment. As a result, we will improve the day-to-day lives of many people in Khashuri and protect their health. I would like to thank all partners for their Team Europe efforts and wish all success for the construction", stated Dominik Papenheim, Team Leader for Economic Development at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.
Cécile Couprie, Regional Director for AFD EURASIA stated: "Today is a historical day. The Khashuri Water and Sanitation project officially begins and will support the development of this city. The challenge of having access to clean and high-quality drinking water and sanitation services is now being addressed, and I am pleased that AFD, in cooperation with the European Union, is participating in this project. I would like to thank each organization whose efforts made it possible to start the construction of this phase."
The Construction works will be carried out by the Turkish company "YDA" and will be supervised by the international engineering company "Eptisa".
