OREANDA-NEWS. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a loan agreement with Dutch drinking water provider Dunea N.V. The EUR 100 million financing, which will support Dunea’s 5-year investment plan for upgrading the drinking water supply and distribution networks, was signed in Scheveningen this morning.

Dunea serves some 1.3 million inhabitants of 18 municipalities in the province of Zuid-Holland, the main ones being Leiden, The Hague and Zoetermeer. The multi-year investment programme supported by the EIB consists mainly of renewal and upgrading of raw water conveyors, potable water distribution networks, pumping stations, water meters, and operational support infrastructure.

“I don’t think I have to stress the importance of water, especially in the Netherlands”, says EIB Vice-President Pim van Ballekom. “The European Investment Bank is glad it can support the upkeep of very high quality drinking water for so many citizens. Not many people realise how much work and investment go into supplying clean and reliable drinking water, day in and day out, and it is important to support companies such as Dunea in this endeavour. The EU Bank continues to stand ready to invest in critical infrastructure in the Netherlands where it can add value.”