Prime Minister Sali Berisha said the construction of the plant would free the Durres coastline of wastewater, which used to be flown into the sea untreated, often damaging the image of Durres
TIRANA, April 23 – One month ahead of the new tourist season, a new Euro 11 million modern wastewater treatment plant has been made operational in the coastal city of Durres and its surrounding beaches, putting an end to pollution in the country’s second biggest city which mostly relies on tourism.
The construction of the plant was funded by the Albanian government, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the government of Luxembourg, government said in a statement.
The plant occupies an area of 65 hectares and will also produce biogas which will cover 30 percent of its needs for electricity. Durres, a city of 205,000, is one of the main tourist locations in Albania. During the tourist season it reaches 600,000 inhabitants.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony this week, Prime Minister Sali Berisha said the construction of the plant would free the Durres coastline of wastewater, which used to be flown into the sea untreated, often damaging the image of Durres, which has the biggest beaches in Albania. The plant will also serve to treat wastewater for the Shkembi i Kavajes and Gjiri i Lalzit beaches.
“The Albanian government considers the protection and development of the environment as a key condition for Albania’s sustainable development,” said Prime Minister Berisha, adding that some 55 billion lek has been invested in water and sewerage systems during the past few years.
“Soon we will also inaugurate sewerage treatment plants for Lezha, Vlora, Saranda, Korca and so on,” said Prime Minister Berisha.
Inspecting the construction works earlier, Transport Minister Sokol Olldashi said the Euro 11 million plant will have a processing capacity of 60,000 m3/day using the Activated Sludge technology which turns sewerage into 98 percent clean water. The plant will serve a population of 250,000 inhabitants.
The treatment plant extends over a 70 hectare area and is one of the most modern among the 14 being built in Albania.
