OREANDA-NEWS. August 14, 2014. The European Union (EU) Cohesion Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are continuing their efforts to modernise and upgrade water and wastewater services in Romania.

The EBRD is extending a new EUR 10 million loan to SC Raja SA Constanta, one of the largest water utilities in Romania. The company operates in the counties of Constanta and Ialomita with a growing presence in Calarasi, Dambovita and Ilfov. The company is an existing EBRD client that received a EUR 33 million loan in 2010 to finance investments primarily in the county of Constanta. Today the company serves over 730,000 residents.

The EBRD loan is being provided alongside EU Cohesion Funds of EUR 47.5 million. The investment will increase access to clean water and improve sewerage services in the region. As a result, over 10,000 people will receive access to a safe water supply through extended water networks and nearly 20,000 people will be connected to sewerage networks in 17 towns and villages across the counties of Constanta, Ialomita and Ilfov. The project will also support investments in wastewater networks and will ensure that quality water supply services are available in smaller localities in Ilfov county, which is also serviced by SC Raja SA Constanta.

Signing the new transaction EBRD Director for Municipal and Environmental Infrastructure, Jean-Patrick Marquet, said: “SC Raja SA Constanta has made strong progress in consolidating as a regional operator. It has considerably extended its service area, first to the county of Ialomita and more recently running operations in smaller, less-developed localities in Calarasi, Dambovita and Ilfov counties neighbouring Constanta. We are pleased to provide further financing to ensure that more people can benefit from the water and wastewater services supplied by the company, ensuring important environmental benefits.”

Felix Stroe, General Manager of SC Raja SA Constanta, said: “The long-standing collaboration between SC Raja SA and the EBRD has developed over time into a trustworthy partnership. The two institutions have worked together in guaranteeing the successful implementation of ambitious national infrastructure programmes. Through various projects developed by the EBRD, SC Raja SA efficiently manages infrastructure assets for the entire lifecycle – water catchment, distribution and treatment – to ensure the optimum provision of water services for the well-being of the population and of the environment.”