The Head of Swiss Cooperation in Albania, Mr. Arnold Philipp, visited the Regional Water and Sewerage Company of Lezhë (UKRL) on Thursday, 29 May 2025 to closely monitor the progress of the transformative WPIP/MIP V project—a landmark €16 million investment in the region’s water sector.
During the visit, Mr. Philipp was welcomed by the Director of UKRL, Mr. Zef Maçi, and the Deputy Director of KfW Tirana Office, Mr. Bledar Dollaku. Mr. Dollaku presented the current progress and scale of investments, highlighting their impact on improving service delivery for both citizens and the growing number of tourists. A formal groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to take place in October 2024.
The WPIP/MIP V project in Lezhë represents an investment of €16 million, financed by the German Financial Cooperation through KfW, the European Union, and SECO (Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs). The project aims to:
- Expand the potable water supply network;
- Modernize wastewater treatment facilities;
- Establish a new flood protection system.
Over 20,000 local residents, along with increasing numbers of visitors, are expected to benefit directly from these improvements.
Significant progress is evident across several key areas:
- Kodër Marlekaj: Installation of a new 13.5 km water transmission line, of which 6.5 km have already been completed.
- Kakarriq Hill: Construction of two new wells supplying a newly built 400 m³ reservoir, currently in its final construction phase. More than 20 km of new pipelines have been installed to distribute water across the area.
- Shëngjin: This key tourist destination is set to benefit from the rehabilitation of its main transmission line, now being replaced with DCI500 pipes. A 2.9 km section has been completed and is undergoing disinfection ahead of final connection to the existing infrastructure.
Wastewater Treatment Modernization and Flood Protection
Technical interventions at the Lezhë wastewater treatment plant include:
- Reconstruction of the mechanical treatment unit;
- Construction of a new inflow pumping station;
- Installation of a fine screen building and new flow measurement channel;
- New aeration chambers, odor-removal biofilters, and a phosphorus removal unit.
To address chronic flooding, particularly due to combined sewer and stormwater systems, the project foresees a functional separation of the two networks through:
- Diversion of stormwater from “high zones” to the Drin River and Manatia stream;
- Construction of approximately 1.5 km of new stormwater collectors;
- A high-capacity stormwater pumping station (3 m³/s);
- 1 km of new and/or upgraded sewer pipelines;
- Rehabilitation of the existing wastewater pumping station.
Emergency Preparedness
To bolster resilience, a comprehensive Flood Response Plan and Concept has been developed under the WPIP/MIP V framework, in cooperation with UKRL, the Lezhë Prefecture, the General Directorate of Civil Emergencies, the Lezhë Municipality, and the local Irrigation Board. The plan ensures a coordinated and systematic approach to mitigating flood-related risks and ensuring public safety.
Strong and Sustainable International Support
The Swiss Government, through SECO, together with German Financial Cooperation
through KfW and EU, remains a key financial partner in all components of the WPIP/MIP V project, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development and the improvement of living standards for the people of Albania.
