The World Bank (WB) has approved a 106 million euros credit to help local governments in Romania develop their water infrastructure, the bank said in a statement Friday. The funds will assist Romanian counties and cities by expanding the water supply and sewage pipes to new areas and rehabilitate existing infrastructure. The supported projects are part of the efforts by Romania to meet EU environment standards and improve quality of life for its citizens.

"Access to quality water and wastewater services is certainly one of the most basic indicators for this improved quality of life," said Anand Seth, the World Bank's country director for Romania. The WB official said that the Romanian government has the task of assuring not only Romania's EU accession but also bringing higher standards of living, which exist in EU, in the day-to-day life of Romanians. In addition, the project will help local governments enhance the absorption of EU funds made available for these type of services and will improve the quality of service delivered to their citizens. The bank added that the total cost of bringing water and wastewater services up to EU standards is estimated to be around 15 billion euros by the end of 2018. The World Bank estimates that approximately five million persons will benefit from this project. Within the project, the Bucharest municipality will expand the investments planned through the PHARE project regarding the sewage system and the reconstruction of roads. The credit has a 17-year reimbursement period and a five-year grace period. The World Bank has granted Romania, since 1991, credits amounting to five billion dollars.

The last credit, amounting to 47.2 million euros, was granted for the financing of a social integration project. The project targets improving living standards and social integration for some of the disadvantaged citizens including the Roma minority, children in orphanages, the disabled as well as the victims of family violence.

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