The objective of this contract is the preparation of documentation for securing funding for the Regional Investment Project aimed at increasing the level of urban wastewater collection and treatment, as well as the degree of potable water supply for the population of Neamț County.

Within this service contract, technical documentation was prepared for investments in potable water infrastructure and wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure in 42 Administrative Units in Neamț County, namely: Piatra Neamț Municipality, Roman Municipality, Bicaz Town, Roznov Town, Târgu Neamț Town, and the Communes: Agapia, Alexandru cel Bun, Bălțătești, Bârgăuani, Bîra, Bodești, Brusturi, Costișa, Dobreni, Dochia, Dragomirești, Dumbrava Roșie, Gârcina, Girov, Grumăzești, Horia, Mărgineni, Pângărați, Păstrăveni, Piatra Șoimului, Pipirig, Podoleni, Răucești, Războieni, Rediu, Români, Ruginoasa, Săbăoani, Săvinești, Ștefan cel Mare, Tămășeni, Tarcău, Tașca, Țibucani, Tupilați, Urecheni, and Zănești.

The main outcomes targeted through promoting investments in the water and wastewater sectors are fulfilling commitments deriving from European directives regarding:

• Quality of water intended for human consumption (Directive 98/83/EC) – public drinking water supply services, microbiologically controlled, safe, and health-protective, extended to populations in localities with over 50 inhabitants.
• Wastewater treatment (91/271/EEC) – urban wastewater collected and treated (in terms of biodegradable organic load) for agglomerations with populations between 2,000 – 10,000 equivalent inhabitants (PE).

The investments were based on the Master Plan approved by the Neamț County Council in 2014, which identified 23 water supply systems and 9 agglomerations that need to comply with the provisions of European Directives on water supply, wastewater treatment, and collection. However, due to budget constraints and a study conducted by the World Bank experts – SIPOCA 588, the current programming stage (POIM 2014 – 2020) includes 12 water supply systems and 6 agglomerations for wastewater treatment and collection.

Investments in water infrastructure for the localities in Vrancea County included in the project aimed at improving environmental quality and enhancing the living conditions of the population. Through the investments included in this project, the process of extending and rehabilitating the water infrastructure carried out during the 2014-2020 phase in urban areas continues, and investments are proposed for the extension and rehabilitation of water supply systems in rural areas and the establishment of water supply systems in rural areas that currently do not have a centralized water supply system.

Specific Objectives:

1. Updating the Master Plan
2. Studies required at the Feasibility Study (FS) phase: Hydrogeological studies; Geotechnical studies; Topographical studies; Assessments for utility works and structures and other necessary studies
3. Complete feasibility study from a technical perspective (this will include: the technical part, general estimates and object estimates, economic-financial analysis, technical drawings, sludge strategy, industrial wastewater discharge study, institutional analysis, studies, assessments; documentation needed to obtain: environmental agreement/regulatory act issued by the competent environmental authority, ANAR approval, urbanism certificate, construction/demolition permits, approvals, and agreements, coordination plan approved by the involved authorities, funding application)
4. Documentation required for obtaining the construction permit, permits/approvals for national roads, railways (if applicable), county roads (these will include the written part, the drawing part, and any approval/study necessary for project implementation)
5. Funding application including supporting documents (supporting documents: final complete feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, institutional analysis, coordination plan adopted and approved by all involved authorities, approvals, agreements, etc.)
6. Technical designs
7. Tender documentation
8. Report on the support activity in evaluating the Funding Application
9. Organization of seminars/workshops and ensuring project publicity (includes: seminars/workshops to present the feasibility study to local authorities at certain stages and technical projects and publicity measures)
10. Technical assistance from the designer during the implementation of the works contracts

Results:

• Ensuring compliance with specific procedures established by the applicable legislation in force, both during the development and finalization of procurement documentation and throughout the procedure until contract signing;
• Ensuring high-quality design in compliance with all current norms and standards;
• Providing technical assistance from the designer throughout the entire project implementation period;
• Preparation of tender documentation, technical projects, and execution details, in accordance with national legislation, for the works contracts within the project, in compliance with the funding application and the approved feasibility study;
• The approved project promotes concrete measures of adaptability to climate change by building sustainable infrastructure;
• The works contracts proposed within the Project are tendered in accordance with the project implementation schedule, with the Regional Operator benefiting from support during the tendering process;
• Seminars to present the Feasibility Study;
• Increasing the population’s connection rate to water and wastewater systems;
• Ensuring the continuous and quality-compliant supply of water according to current norms to all localities included in the project.