Romania gets EUR 370 million from EU for safe drinking water, wastewater treatment

Romania will get EUR 370 million from the European Union’s Cohesion Fund to increase the availability of safe drinking water and the collection and treatment of wastewater.

The project for drinking water and wastewater will improve and extend water supply and sewerage infrastructure in six Romanian counties: Constanța, Călărași, Dâmbovița, Ialomița and parts of Ilfov and Brașov, according to a press release by the European Commission.

It has approved an investment of almost EUR 370 million from the Cohesion Fund.

The project will reduce pollutants in drinking water

The fund is used to finance investments in EU member states with gross national income (GNI) per inhabitant below 90% of the EU average. Its goal is to reduce economic and social disparities and promote sustainable development.

For 2014-2020, Romania has been allocated around EUR 6.93 billion under the Cohesion Fund.

The investments will reduce pollution of rivers and groundwater in line with the European Green Deal objectives

The project will reduce pollutants in drinking water and the resulting health risks and stimulate biodiversity and the development of industrial, commercial and recreational activities.

The project is expected to be operational as of July 2023, the commission said.

According to Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, the project complements previous EU investments aiming at modernising water and wastewater infrastructures in Romania and it will ensure continuous access to safe drinking water and reduce pollution of rivers and groundwater in line with the European Green Deal objectives.