Upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitation of the wastewater network in the historical area of the city of Durrës

The Albanian sanitation infrastructure does not meet European standards, with only 54% of wastewater collected and 14% treated at the national level. Durrës, an economic hub and a major tourist destination, suffers from a dysfunctional sewage system. Less than a quarter of the city’s wastewater reaches the treatment plant, which is ineffective in treating it; the rest is discharged without treatment into drainage channels leading to the Adriatic Sea. As Albania moves towards EU accession, compliance with EU directives such as urban water treatment has become a national priority. The Durrës project is aligned with the national water strategy 2020-2030, whose ambition is to strengthen the connection to sanitation services to preserve the environment and the health of the population.

The project aims to modernize the sanitation infrastructure of Durrës in order to meet European standards for urban wastewater treatment. It includes the construction of a separative network of 97 km, the renovation of 3 existing pumping stations and the construction of an additional station, and the modernization/extension of the treatment plant to increase its capacity to 350,000 PE. It also provides for sludge valorization and the ecological development of the area (urban forest, wetland), as well as technical support to the operator, DWSRU.

The project is being financed as follows: €33 million in the form of an AFD loan, and €86 million in the form of a WBIF grant, including interest.

The project will improve the management of wastewater in Durrës by increasing the collection and treatment rate from 20% to 85%, benefiting 343,000 inhabitants. It will contribute to the reduction of coastal pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (–27,000 tCO₂/year) through the modernization of the wastewater treatment plant and biogas recovery. The restoration of 14 hectares of natural areas will strengthen local biodiversity. Finally, the project will participate in the country’s compliance with the new European standards on urban wastewater treatment (2024/3019).