“Strengthening Cross-Border relations between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia with a common goal of improving the environment”
Public Utility “Vodovod” Kumanovo
Public Entity “Vodovod” Vranje
IPA II Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Serbia and North Macedonia
Programme Specific objective 2.2:
Programme Result 2.2.1:
Why this project?
Climate change is a significant threat to the border region bearing risks of floods, temperature extremes and increasing water temperatures. Both countries (North Macedonia and Serbia) is among the countries in the Europe that are expected to be most severely affected by climate changes.
In recent years, heavy rainfall in a relatively short time has occurred very often, due to which in some parts of the city of Kumanovo floods occur, because the system for drainage of atmospheric water and wastewater is clogged. At the same time in Vranje, in the city itself, there are rivers that are partially decorated with stone, but that surface is dilapidated and quite ruined.
The main recipient of all rivers and streams through the city is the river South Morava, which itself is not regulated but is partially surrounded by an embankment on one side. That embankment is dilapidated and as such quite non-functional.
In periods of heavy rainfall, rivers often overflow, and the outflow of the South Morava is especially pronounced. On that occasion, the entire population that lives in the river valley, about 5,000 inhabitants, is endangered, so it is very important that all riverbeds are cleaned and fortified. Protection of the population by taking timely measures, such as unclogging the sewer system or repairing a damaged riverbeds is highly necessary. If such measures are not taken the both municipalities will be flooded and many casualties can occur.
Due to the lack of adequate equipment and mechanization, both public enterprises have big problems in fulfilling its regular obligations, especially in emergency situations. The main challenge faced by both public enterprises responsible for managing water supply and sewerage systems in Kumanovo and Vranje is how to respond successfully and timely in critical situations, with insufficient and outdated equipment.
In the same time, there is a lack of the appropriate knowledge among the responsible authorities and employees for reducing the flood risk and necessary measures for prevention and mitigation of the Flood in Kumanovo Flood in Vranje consequences of climate change. The lack of plans to reduce the risk of floods, and how to use modern and green measures to reduce the risk of floods is another challenge for the public utility companies from Kumanovo and Vranje and their employees, which is tackled by the project.
In the same time, there is a lack of the appropriate knowledge among the responsible authorities and employees for reducing the flood risk and necessary measures for prevention and mitigation of the Flood in Kumanovo Flood in Vranje consequences of climate change. The lack of plans to reduce the risk of floods, and how to use modern and green measures to reduce the risk of floods is another challenge for the public utility companies from Kumanovo and Vranje and their employees, which is tackled by the project.
Training and capacity building of authorities and local population is recognized of highest importance in various strategic documents on local, regional, national and on EU level. The planned investment address specific risks of flood that can be caused by the heavy rains and rivers in both municipalities if they are not prevented.
New knowledge, planning of flood prevention and promotion of green infrastructure practices for natural water retention (e.g. restoration of flood plains and wetlands, afforestation, re-meandering) will be presented by training as a better environmental option to grey infrastructure (e.g. damps and dykes). In that, way the responsible authorities can choose to build in their future projects such infrastructure.
Key stakeholder groups
- Public communal enterprises in Kumanovo and Vranje
- Municipalities of Vranje and Kumanovo
- NGO’s work in the environment area
- Population of Kumanovo and Vranje
- Entities responsible for acting during the emergency situations
Objectives of the action
Partners
Leading partner
Vodovod Kumanovo
Located in the northeastern part of the Republic of North Macedonia, at an altitude of 340 meters, Kumanovo is located at the very intersection of the two most important corridors in the country (Corridor 8 – Corridor 10). In terms of population, Kumanovo is the largest municipality in the Republic of North Macedonia, occupying an area of 509.48 km2. In the Municipality of Kumanovo, the largest municipality in the Republic of North Macedonia live over 100,000 inhabitants. Public Enterprise VODOVOD Kumanovo was founded in 1956 for the purpose of carrying out economic activity of public interest in the field of water supply and sewage by the Municipality of Kumanovo.
The main activities of JP VODOVOD Kumanovo are water supply, removal of waste and storm water, maintenance of the water supply and sewage system in proper condition and purification of waste water.
One of the main problems in the Municipality is the maintenance of the sewage system for wastewater, which collects a large part of the atmospheric water during rainy weather, as well as the atmospheric sewage itself.
The service for maintenance of the sewerage system at the JP “Vodovod” has three to four interventions every day, and in times of rain it works continuously for 24 hours. In the last few years, mainly due to climate change, torrential rains and floods have become more frequent in the Northeast region. After every heavy rain, parts of the sewerage system are non-functional and there is a spill of sewage on the streets of the city. This greatly increases the risk of flooding in parts of the city. Also, Spillage of sewage into the city streets, from audit shafts, as a result of clogged sewers poses a huge danger to the health of over 100,000 inhabitants.
Co-partner
Vodovod Vranje
The City of Vranje is an administrative, economic, health, educational and cultural centre of Pčinja district in the south of Serbia, Europe. According to the 2011 census results, 83524 inhabitants live within the city’s territory. Vranje is located on Corridor 10, is a well-known industrial town, with a great tradition in wood processing, textile, shoes manufacturing, metal, tobacco and food industry. Many foreign investors are already doing business in Vranje, especially in Free zone area.
JP “Vodovod” Vranje was founded for:
- provision of permanent supplies of drinking water, purification and drainage of atmospheric and waste water, as activities of general interest for the orderly satisfaction of the needs of our consumers;
- development and improvements in the performance of basic activities;
- guarantees of technical-technological and economic unity system and coordination of its development;
- realization of another legally established interest.
In accordance with the law, J.P. “Vodovod” Vranje can perform all activities for which it meets the prescribed conditions. The main activity of J.P. “Vodovod” Vranje is production of drinking water, collection and purification of waste water. Apart from basic activities J.P. “Vodovod” Vranje can provide the following activities: construction of roads and highways, pipeline construction; waste water removal; construction of hydrotechnical facilities, demolition of the building; prepare construction sites; installation of water, sewage and heating and air conditioning systems and technical examination and analysis.
MISSION: The mission undertaken by JP “Vodovod” Vranje is to regularly supply its consumers with healthy drinking water, build and maintain an infrastructure network, and the team itself preserves a healthy environment. The supply of healthy drinking water is carried out from the Prvonek reservoir, which was built to enable the realization of our mission. Providing excellent quality water supply services at adequate prices for the citizens of Vranje. Production and distribution of drinking water to consumers, as well as collection and removal of waste water through the collector to factories for waste water treatment.
In the Municipality of Vranje, Public communal enterprise manage is responsible for water supply and sewage for up to 50000 users. Water supply system consists of pipes with a total capacity of about 280km and mostly of asbestos material (50%), while there is a sewerage system and purchase of pipes of about 140km, various materials (clay, asbestos, concrete). There are about 18000 households connected to the sewerage system, which represents 95% of the capacity of city dwellings.
In the town itself, there are rivers that are partially regulated and decorated with stone, but that surface is dilapidated and quite ruined. The main recipient of all rivers and streams through the city is the river South Morava, which itself is not regulated but is partially surrounded by an embankment on one side. That embankment is dilapidated and as such quite non-functional. In periods of heavy rainfall, rivers often overflow, and the flood of the South Morava is especially pronounced. On that occasion, the entire population that lives in the river valley, about 5,000 inhabitants, is endangered
Activities & Outputs
Project Management – group of sub activities necessary for smooth management and successfully implementation of project. The activity includes: formation of a project management team (PMT) engaged with the following tasks: everyday coordination of project activities and tasks related to project implementation; preparation of progress reports, requests for payments, etc.; regular review of the activities schedule and budget implementation; project accounting, execution of payments to external contractors, salaries to PMT members; reporting of project implementation status to the management of each partner; communication with external contractors and review of their work, incl. its correspondence with the relevant legislation and requirements in the field; communication with programme authorities and other national bodies; organization of four PMT meetings, concluding contract with external consultant for preparation of PRAG documentations for public procurement procedures for the activities in the project for both partners. This activity is linked with all other activities.
Output 1: Efficient project management
Communication management – group of sub-activities aimed providing visibility and promotion of the project. Including development of communication plan, organization of promotional project events, design and printing 1. Project Management O1.Efficient project management 3.Providing of equipment O3.1. Provided sewer cleaning truck O3.2. Provided loader 4. Capacity building O4. Organized Capacity building events 5. Development of Flood Prevention plans for Kumanovo and Vranje O5.Formulated Flood Prevention plans for Kumanovo and Vranje 2. Communication management O2. Provided visibility of the project of project promotional materials and banners, creation of web site and establishing of social network profiles. This activity is linked with all other activities
Output 2: Provided visibility of the project
Providing of equipment – To enhance the capacity for response of flood and safety services in cases of clogging of sewerage system, the equipment – cistern for washing and maintenance of the sewer system under high pressure will be purchase for Public Communal Enterprise of Kumanovo and to enhance the capacity for implementation of prevention measures and response of flood, the equipment – specialized machine for preventive and emergency interventions on watercourses will be purchase for Public Communal Enterprise of Vranje.
Output 3.1: Provided sewer cleaning truck
Output 3.2: Provided loader
Capacity building sequence– set of activities for increasing of capacity of public communal enterprises and local administration of Municipality of Vranje and Kumanovo, including organization of two trainings (three days each) related with flood risk prevention and mitigation of flood consequences and green infrastructure practices for natural water retention.
Output 4: Organized Capacity building events
Development of Flood Prevention plans for Kumanovo and Vranje – set os sub-activities for development of flood prevention plans for Kumanovo and Vranje, including Identification and Assessment of Flood Risk, definition of measures for mitigation of flood risk, formulation of adaptation measures which should be planned, designed and constructed to reduce and manage flood risk and be adaptable to changes in climate, series of four oneday workshops, formulation and adoptation of plans.
Output 5: Formulated Flood Prevention plans for Kumanovo and Vranje
