Modernisation de la station d'épuration des eaux usées et réhabilitation du réseau d'assainissement dans le centre historique de la ville de Durrës

Upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitation of the wastewater network in the historical area of the city of Durrës evof@afd.fr Thu, 3 Sep, 2026 - 16:47 Upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitation of the wastewater network September 3, 2026 Désactivé CAL1037 Ongoing AlbaniaWestern Balkans Water and Sanitation Water and Sanitation Western BalkansAlbania Clean Water and Sanitation LoanGrant Durrës, the main maritime port and seaside resort of Albania, is also the second city of the country. Its sewage system is old and suffers from deficiencies leading to a high pollution of surface water. By mobilizing a grant from the WBIF, AFD will develop a modernized and separative sewerage network as well as an efficient wastewater treatment plant. Context 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. Description 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. Impacts 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). July 1, 2026 December 1, 2031 In the same region Upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitation of the wastewater network Water and Sanitation Ongoing 2026 - 2031 Western Balkans, Albania Financing amount : € 118 500 000 Investment Program for Waste Management - EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth • Climate • Biodiversity Ongoing 2023 - 2028 Western Balkans Financing amount : € 19 000 000 Policy-Based Loan to support the reform of the electricity sector in Albania Energy Ongoing 2021 - 2033 Western Balkans, Albania Financing amount : € 51 400 000 On the same topic Technical partnership between Société du Canal de Provence and Iber Lepenc • Energy • Water and Sanitation Ongoing 2025 - 2027 Western Balkans, Kosovo Financing amount : € 500 000 Upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitation of the wastewater network Water and Sanitation Ongoing 2026 - 2031 Western Balkans, Albania Financing amount : € 118 500 000 Water Supply In the greater Banjul area - WASIB Project Water and Sanitation Ongoing 2020 - 2027 Gambia Financing amount : € 29 000 000 Same type of beneficiary Supporting alignment with EU energy and climate standards in the energy and climate sectors • Energy • Climate Ongoing 2026 - 2028 Western Balkans, Kosovo Financing amount : € 80 000 000 Preparation of the 2030 Mediterranean Games • Sports and Development • Infrastructure Ongoing 2026 - 2038 Western Balkans, Kosovo Financing amount : € 61 200 000 Upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitation of the wastewater network Water and Sanitation Ongoing 2026 - 2031 Western Balkans, Albania Financing amount : € 118 500 000 Durres, Albania State 118 500 000 € 65 month Republic of Albania Adresse Agence régionale des Balkans Occidentaux