2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

ROMANIA PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
the ISPA management committee and will be co-financed by ISPA. Grants totalling €521.9 million will
be provided to; Constanta, Lasi, Craiova, the Jiu Valley, Arad, Braila, Cluj Napoca, Oradea, Focsani,
Timisoara and Targu Mures.
Urban Services
% Water 90%
Domestic consumption 254 L/day
% Sewerage 83%
% Sewage treated 50%
Water provision
In 2000, 14.7 million people (65% of the total population) were connected to a public water supply,
including 11.3 million in urban areas (90% coverage) and 3.4 million in rural areas (33% coverage).
Tests on public water supplies in 2000 found that faecal biological parameters (total coliforms and
faecal coliforms) exceeded the limits for 3% and 1% of samples respectively, with 3-5% of samples
failing on chemical levels. There is no metering for domestic customers and overall, 50% of supplies
are metered. Distribution losses are currently in the region of 35% and there are plans to reduce this
to 15% by 2020.
Freshwater
Total (1998, km3) 37.0
Per capita (1998, m 3 ) 1,639
Withdrawals (1994, km³) 26.0
For domestic use (1987) 8%
For industry (1987) 33%
For agriculture (1987) 59%
Privatisation and the EBRD
The EBRD has developed a Municipal Utilities Development Programme (MUDP), starting with a
US$28 million loan in December 1994, covering water and effluent treatment in Brasov, Craiova, Lasi,
Timiosara and Tirgu Mures, cities with a population range of 164,000-360,000. The MUDP is
designed to encourage private sector involvement in the water companies in these cities. Prior to
MUDP, all finance has been through Central Government grant transfers. In 2001, Timisoara’s
Aquatim funded €438 million in wastewater upgrades, through a €34 million ISPA loan allied with local
loans.
Groundwater Resources
Total recharge (1998, km³) 8.3
Per capita (1998, m 3 ) 368
Withdrawals (1975, km³) 1.0
For domestic use (1975) 61%
For industry (1975) 38%
For agriculture (1975) 1%
MAJOR CITIES
Population 2000 2015 Status
Bucharest 2,001,000 2,001,000 Privatised
Privatisation of Bucharest’s services
Bucharest’s water company, the Regia Generale de Apa Bucuresti (RGAB) was privatised under the
IFC's auspices. Water supply for the city is through taps (92%) and standpipes (8%), averaging 800L
per capita per day at US$0.17 per m 3 . RGAB supplies sewerage for 85% of the city. Capital spending
of US$1,000 million is needed for water and sewerage over the life of the concession. Six bidders
pre-qualified, three submitting compliant bids (UU/Bechtel, Suez and VE) with Azurix presenting a
letter. VE’s Apa Nova Bucaresti SA won with a tariff of US$0.11 per m 3 , with a strict set of
performance criteria and future tariff increase limits. VE have acquired 70% of RGAB’s equity for €35
million in 2001. Suez has a 25 year BOT for bulk water provision to 920,000 people in the city via the
construction of a F350 million water treatment works. Suez holds 51% of the consortium and its
Degrémont subsidiary will hold the remaining 49% of the equity.
167 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006