| WBIF | Grant | TA3-SER-ENV-01 | € 300,000 |
| EIB | Loan | € 25,000,000 | |
| KFW | Loan | € 12,800,000 | |
| EBRD | Loan | € 7,100,000 | |
| Beneficiary Contribution | Own Contribution | € 15,100,000 | |
| WBIF | Grant | WB15-SRB-ENV-01 | € 1,005,000 |
| Total | € 61,305,000 | ||
| Total Grants | € 1,305,000 | ||
| Total Loans | € 44,900,000 | ||
Novi Sad is the second-largest city in Serbia located on the banks of the Danube; its population is over 250,000. The city has embarked on a major programme of water supply and wastewater network upgrade. Parts of the works are completed, parts with construction ongoing and parts with sub-projects being prepared.
Novi Sad does not have a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). While over 80% of residential and commercial and industrial users are provided with sewer services, collected waste water is discharged untreated into the Danube River. This is highly detrimental environmentally and is a threat to human health and wellbeing. Indeed, this discharge is measured as being the highest source of pollution in the Danube along the river section stretching from the border with Hungary to Belgrade (technically the discharge amounts to 450,000 PE (population equivalent or over 27,000 kg BOD5/day.)
WBIF is providing a grant to Novi Sad’s programme with support for a WWTP. The technical assistance targets the preparation of pre-feasibility study with conceptual design, feasibility study, EIA and tender documents for FIDIC Yellow Book construction contract for the main wastewater treatment plant of the City.
The investments will target schemes included in a medium to a long-term investment programme that will contribute to the regional development of Serbia and to the improvement of the water system of Novi Sad municipality. The investment programme will help improve the quality of the public water facilities and prepare for major investments in wastewater treatment in the future.
The project will bring very significant benefits to the immediate inhabitants of Novi Sad and its surroundings and to the much wider region with pollution being curtailed from discharge into the Danube. As well as the health and environmental benefits, the improvement and upgrading of the water and wastewater system form a precondition for the continuing social and economic development in the city, and a prerequisite for improving its attractiveness to investors. It is estimated that at least the 350,000 inhabitants of Novi Sad and the wider area will be affected positively by these investments.
The broader significance of the project is captured by Serbia participation in the Danube’s strategic framework. The programme conforms to the Joint Overall Strategy for the Danube Region, and the Water Master Plan of the Republic of Serbia (2002). In 2003, Serbia became a member of International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) and at the same time ratified the Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of Danube River. In December 2009, the Danube River Basin Management Plan was adopted with the respective measures, obliging Member States to realize the planned measures by 2015. Following this goal, during May 2010, Serbia adopted a new Law on Waters. This law regulates the Water Management Strategy, and protection of waters from pollution.
