March 30 (SeeNews) - The European Commission said on Thursday that it has approved an investment of over 166 million euro ($180.7 million) to upgrade water and wastewater networks in southern Romania.
The investment, a contribution from the Cohesion Fund 2014-2020, will improve quality and access to drinking water, as well as wastewater treatment in the counties of Calarasi, Giurgiu, Ialomita, and Ilfov, the Commission said in a press release.
Work on water supply infrastructure includes nine new water treatment plants, 1,061 km of new network, 40 new reservoirs and restoration of existing infrastructure. As regards wastewater, four wastewater treatment plants will be built and another three will be expanded while 761 km of new sewerage network will be laid, and existing infrastructure will be restored.
"The projects also contribute to the sustainable development of the area by fostering biodiversity and reducing losses in the water supply network," said Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira.
The Commission noted that the investment is part of a wider plan to improve water and wastewater infrastructure across Romania.
($=0.918030 euro)