The background
We all need water to survive. It is no coincidence that the Tigris and Euphrates Valleys, the Nile River Valley, the Indus River Valley and the Yellow River Valley were home to some of the most important civilisations in history.
This is also the case with Berane, a municipality in north-eastern Montenegro known for an abundance of water since Palaeolithic times.
The challenge
Despite the abundance of water, Berane has faced a number of challenges concerning wastewater treatment. More than a half of the Berane urban area was connected to a wastewater collection system, but this water was not treated and was often discharged directly into the River Lim (or into small tributaries), notably through six main sewage outfalls. The outfalls were unsightly, constituted a health hazard and created odour problems.
In rural areas, most houses discharged wastewater into rarely emptied septic tanks. When they were emptied, they were poured into specific manholes on the wastewater network or directly into the River Lim.
The main challenges for the almost 20 km-long sewer network were blockages and flooding from the blocked manholes. The lack of storm water sewers in a number of streets led to surface water, and there were also water losses and considerable infiltration from springs and groundwater.
The action
The wastewater and treatment systems posed a direct threat to water quality, putting public health and the environment in Berane at risk.
The main actions to improve water quality were:
· construction of a new water reservoir and reconstruction of a pumping station;
· extension of the sewer network to connect around 4 000 more residents;
· construction of a new wastewater treatment plant that meets effluent discharge standards and includes nutrient removal;
· closing of the six outfalls from the sewage system that dumped wastewater into the River Lim and redirection of this flow to the new wastewater treatment plant.
In JASPERS’ first project in Montenegro, authorities asked JASPERS’ water experts to assist them throughout the project cycle. JASPERS assistance started with the analysis of project documentation, such as the feasibility study, technical designs and environmental impact assessment. Following this, JASPERS helped with preparation for a major EU grant application and the drafting of tender documentation for construction tenders, and lastly provided advice during the implementation stage of the project.
The results
The project has had a significant positive impact on the environment and public health in Berane, as well as locations downstream. Without the project, significant risks to watercourses and public health would have arisen.
The main result of the project was the completion of a new wastewater treatment plant, where none existed previously, with a biological capacity of 20 000 population equivalent.
The new water reservoir and pumping station supply good quality drinking water, even at times of peak demand, with a total volume of 2 400 m3. There is additional equipment for leakage detection, system control, illegal connection surveying and chlorination.
The extension of the sewerage network has increased connection rates in populated areas and linked existing connections that previously discharged into the river. Finally, water losses will drop from 75% to 42%, which means precious water will be managed more efficiently.
More broadly, the project is contributing to Montenegro’s progress with its accession agenda by aligning its water strategy with relevant EU legislation.
