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Environmental classification and investigations
The EBRD has classified the project B/1. The rehabilitation of water supply and wastewater treatment infrastructure are expected to result in significant environmental benefits and have limited adverse environmental impacts, which can be readily identified, assessed and mitigated in an Environmental Analysis. An environmental audit of the existing facilities and operations as well as an environmental analysis of the impacts of the project have been undertaken by independent consultants as a part of the Feasibility Study of the project funded by the EBRD's TC funds.
Environmental issues
The Investment program includes rehabilitation of part of the water supply network of Plovdiv City and the rehabilitation and modernisation of facilities at the wastewater treatment plant ("WWTP"). The aim of the water supply projects is to ensure the reliability of the water supply system and to improvement the water supply service as well as the quality of the drinking water. The implementation of the projects will result in reduced leakage, reduced maintenance costs, better management and improved control of the water system and equipment. The rehabilitation and modernisation of the WWTP will connect the northern part of Plovdiv City to the WWTP and make the WWTP facilities able to treat the increased volume of wastewater in accordance with the national (equal to EU) wastewater discharge standards. The wastewater from the northern part of the City is currently directly discharged into Maritsa River without any treatment. The project will, therefore, help improve of the water quality in the river.
The implementation of the investments involves limited, localised and short-term adverse environmental impacts during the execution of construction works. These impacts can be easily mitigated or prevented by good construction practices.
Summary of mitigation measures
An Environmental Action Plan (“EAP”) has been developed to help the Company (i) implement the priority projects in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner as well as (ii) achieve higher standards of operational efficiency and environmental performance. The company will need to undertake a number of additional investments and measures so as to achieve compliance with the applicable environmental and health and safety requirements. The most important area of improvement is the management (handling and disposal or utilisation) of sludge from the WWTP. Other actions to be undertaken by the Company are related to development of a Waste Management Programme; obtaining all necessary permits and consents for water abstraction and wastewater discharges; removal, storage and disposal of asbestos-cement pipes; and measures for mitigating negative impacts, including traffic disruption, during construction activities. The EAP also includes measures for the Company to develop its environmental, health and safety management systems.
Disclosure of Information and Consultation
Environmental information on each of the projects will be disclosed to public prior to implementation in accordance with the planning and construction procedures of Bulgarian law. In the context of EBRD’s participation in the project, this environmental summary will be disclosed locally at the Company’s offices and in the local media.
Monitoring and reporting
The Company will monitor the environmental footprint of the implementation of the projects as well as its operations in accordance with Bulgarian regulatory requirements and a specific monitoring programme, which has been developed as part of the environmental investigations. The Company will report to the EBRD annually on the measured environmental impacts and on the implementation of the EAP, including the mitigation measures. The Bank will evaluate the project's compliance with the applicable environmental and social standards during the lifetime of the project by reviewing these reports. The EBRD may also conduct monitoring visits to the project when and if deemed appropriate.
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