1. Moldova GEF Environmental Infrastructure Project
Pre-appraisal Debriefing
February 1, 2007

2. Outline of Presentation
Project objectives
The five feasibilities of the project
Technical
Economic
Financial
Institutional
Socio-political
Dissemination and replication
Next Steps

3. Project Objectives Treat the wastewater from Soroca
Reduce the nutrient load that now damages the Nistru and the Black Sea
Demonstrate low cost wastewater treatment and disseminate and replicate the experience elsewhere

4. The Five Feasibilities (1)
Technical feasibility exists because:
State of the art treatment technology –”constructed wetlands” or “Green Meadows” has been selected
Negligible energy consumption
Easy to operate and maintain

6. The Five Feasibilities (2)
Economic feasibility exists because:
Project is the least-cost alternative
Investment costs of US$ 3.0 million, or 60% of next best alternative
Operations and maintenance costs US$ 40,000, or 10% of next best alternative
Population willing to pay for O&M costs

7. The Five Feasibilities (3)
Financial feasibility exists because:
Project implementation is fully funded from GEF US$ 4.5 million, IDA/PWSSP US$ 1.0 million and Government of Moldova budget US$ 1.4 million (pending GEF ratification and Government commitment)
Operations and maintenance costs, equivalent to US$ 0.10 per cubic meter of wastewater. are affordable to population (pending grant agreement conditionality and compliance)

8. The Five Feasibilities (4)
Institutional feasibility exists because:
Project implementation can be efficiently managed by the PWSSP PIU attached to ACTD and Soroca apa canal
Operations and maintenance are easy and managable by Soroca apa canal

9. The Five Feasibilities (5)
Socio-political feasibility exists because:
Government will comply with international treaty with Ukraine to reduce pollution of Nistru river
Soroca population attaches priority to treating its wastewater

10. Dissemination and replication
There are 100 existing wastewater treatment plant in Moldova but only four meet effluent standards
The “Green Meadows” technology is affordable, robust to operate, and easily replicable
Conference center at “Green Meadows” plant for international workshops

11. Next Steps
Finalization of pre-appraisal with possible upgrade to appraisal pending Government confirmation of counterpart financing
Negotiations possible in early March 2007
Board presentation in May 2007
Project implementation to begin in second half of 2007
Project operations to start in early 2010