The waterworks were financed by the Norwegian Government and the project has been implemented by NORPLAN, working in cooperation with the four municipalities of Donji Vakuf, Bugojno, Jajce, and Gornji Vakuf – Uskoplje, BiH Federation Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Resources and the Water Directorate.
The Norwegian Government’s support to the project was initiated in 2003. Today, residents of the four municipalities around the River Vrbas benefit from the new water supply system. The new system provides a steady and reliable supply of clean water. NORPLAN, which has done the consultant work, is specialised on technical aspects of water supply and sanitary engineering.
It has been a challenge for the small municipalities, with limited financial means, to provide water supply in accordance with European standards at an acceptable cost to consumers. Through a Public Awareness Campaign, people were presented the importance of reliable water quality and quantity, and why this is worth paying for. Fee collection is vital for sustainability, and in two of the municipalities fee collection is now above 80 %.
Various investment projects have been completed within approved budgets and time-frames. The project has had a strong focus on institution building and modernisation of water management. In this regard, the objective has been to support institutional strengthening and capacity building in the four municipalities through the reorganisation of municipal utility companies and the creation of a Regional Public Water Service Company. In result the beneficiaries are better prepared to manage waste water improvements and infrastructure projects. Also the project has an important public health objective, namely to supply clean water to the residents of the four municipalities.
Prior to the inauguration, a NORPLAN arranged presentation of the Vrbas project took place in Sarajevo 19 April. Follow the links below in order to see the programme of the seminar and Ambassador Braathu's statement at the seminar.
NORPLAN seminar programme
NORPLAN seminar programme
Ambassador Braathu's opening statement