The quality of services for Bijeljina residents and the surrounding area has been significantly improved thanks to the implementation of the project ‘Construction of Waste Water Treatment Plant. The project was launched in order to prevent pollution of the underground water that is used as drinking water, as well as to eliminate possible hazardous impact on public health. The project will also enable harmonisation with the EU regulations for urban waste water management. The successful completion of Phase 2 of the Project was marked in Bijeljina on 25 September 2013.
“The EU legislation gives special attention to the protection of the environment. Therefore, it is a great pleasure to see that this project was successfully implemented. The state has to work on these issues for two important reasons. One reason is accession to the EU and the other is public health, especially in places where people suffering from nephritis live, “ said Martin Schieder, Head of Operations Section for Economic Development, Infrastructure and Natural Resources at the EU Delegation to BiH.
The North-East part of Semberija is known as one of the most recognised focal points of endemic nephropathy in Europe, caused by the external surroundings, mostly by drinking water. The research shows that areas covered with city water-pipeline have a reduced number of diseases, while in the areas without water pipe-lines the rate is still growing. During Phase 2 of the Project, Bijeljina received 25 kilometres of water pipe-lines under the name “Sjeverni prsten” (North ring). “The next project we will be working on is the implementation of the waterworks network of the so-called South ring, where there are still people with nephritis. There are also new suburban settlements with a high number of residents and they need to be connected to the waste water treatment system“ said Mico Micic, Mayor of Bijeljina.
The project was funded by the EU from IPA 2009 funds to the value of 3.5 mill Euros. The project was supervised by the public company “Directorate for building and development of the City of Bijeljina and the contractor was “Buk Promet” also from Bijeljina.
