The water industry needs enormous investments estimated at 25 billion euros, although it has managed, through water companies, around 10 billion euros of European funds, since the 2000s, Ilie Vlaicu, president of the Romanian Water Association (ARA), told AGERPRES on Tuesday.
The Romanian Water Association is hosting, on Tuesday, the second Gala of Excellence in the Water Industry, an event dedicated to recognizing performance, innovation and leadership in the water and wastewater sector in Romania.
"The investment needs are enormous in the water industry. Although we have managed, up to this point, through water companies, around 10 billion euros, European funds, starting from the 2000s, the need for investments in the system is somewhere, estimated, at 25 billion euros. It is an extremely large amount of money and in order to manage it in perfect order we must have a strategy. We do not have to have this money from the beginning, it can be generated later. The Romanian Water Association proposes a system in which the water industry is recognized as the engine of development of Romania. At a certain turnover and investment needs, a strategy is needed. We develop collateral industries that are necessary for the supply of equipment, constructors, faculties, etc.", said Ilie Vlaicu.
He proposes to the authorities the creation of an inter-ministerial working group at the level of the Prime Minister's Chancellery to solve all problems in the water sector.
"Taking into account the fact that the operators have local shareholding and in the conditions in which there are three ministries that finance the sector, we must all work according to a common strategy in order to be able to cope with the pressures that exist in the system. It is no secret that Romania is in violation for not complying with the Wastewater Directive and then unity, a correlation is needed and, of course, we will propose to the governments the start of an inter-ministerial working group at the level of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, which can bring all the ministries and entities involved to the same table", stated the president of ARA.
He added that, currently, the turnover of the water industry is around 1.1 billion euros, and water companies manage funds of six billion euros.
"The industry turnover is around 1.1 billion euros. Water companies currently manage funds of six billion euros. Managing funds six times more than your wealth, than your turnover, is quite a performance and deserves to be discussed in this Excellence Gala, because it is a reality in Romania", Vlaicu also said.
The Excellence Gala in the Water Industry is the emblematic ceremony of ARA and brings together water and sewage operators, industry leaders, experts, technology providers, representatives of academia and public institutions. The event highlights projects and initiatives that contribute to the modernization of infrastructure, increasing the quality of services, sustainability and climate resilience. The Gala aims to bring to the forefront the people and organizations that, through professionalism and responsibility, shape the future of this strategic sector.
The Romanian Water Association, founded in 1995, is the national professional body representing the water and wastewater sector in Romania and functions as a central platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and representation at national and international level.
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