Works for the rehabilitation of the water supply network in the city of Vlora, implemented under the Municipal Infrastructure Programme V (MIP V), continue to advance at a significant pace, with the overall project progress now reaching 80.3%.
The investment, carried out within the framework of the Water Sector Performance and Investment Programme / Municipal Infrastructure Programme V (WPIP/MIP V), aims to modernise the city’s water distribution infrastructure and improve drinking water supply services through the rehabilitation of the existing network and the construction of new system components.
Main distribution network – Step by step connecting households to the new network
A key component of the investment is the connection of households and businesses to the new water network. So far, 3,891 customer connections (out of the planned 5381) have been completed, while works continue across several areas of the city to gradually integrate consumers into the upgraded water supply system.
According to the latest progress report, more than 77 kilometres of water distribution pipelines have already been installed, representing over 83% of the total project scope (in total 92.2 km). During the last reporting week alone, approximately 323 additional linear metres of pipelines were completed.
District Metering Areas
Construction activities are progressing simultaneously across several District Metering Areas (DMAs), where the contractor has mobilised a total of 15 working teams. Eight teams are currently engaged in pipeline installation, node point construction and customer connections in for three DMAs (DMA 3, DMA 5 and DMA 6), while additional teams are carrying out road reinstatement works and pressure testing of the newly installed network.
Minimizing impact of construction work – ‘Horizontal Directional Drilling’
An important technical aspect of the project is the implementation of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) works, allowing pipelines to pass through urban areas with minimal disruption to existing infrastructure. To date, approximately 1,150 linear metres of HDD works have been completed, corresponding to nearly 62% of the planned volume for this component.
At the same time, restoration works are continuing throughout the city. More than 27 kilometres of asphalt roads and approximately 1.7 kilometres of concrete roads have already been reinstated following the completion of underground infrastructure works.
The Vlora investment is part of the broader WPIP/MIP V programme, financed by the German Government through KfW, the European Union and SECO, aiming to improve water supply and sanitation services across six regional water utilities in Albania.
