Corfu: PPP for water supply in the final stretch

The long-awaited PPP project for Corfu‘s water supply is entering the final stretch. The project, with a budget of 181.2 million euros, will provide a solution to the acute water supply problem of the island, which is currently being unertaken by 149 boreholes, many of which with water of not high quality. The tender, which in addition to construction also includes operation and maintenance, got the green light from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

The inclusion of the project in the PPP regime proceeded last September, when the participation of the State in the financing of its construction was approved to the maximum amount of 60 million euros, through the Recovery Fund. The project is part of the “2021-2025 Infrastructure and Transport Sectoral Development Program”, with a budget of 181,226,000 euros.

By decision of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Costas Karamanlis, the international tender with the competitive dialogue process and the call for interest issue for Phase A of the tender were approved. Also, the project entitled “Corfu Island Water Supply through PPP” was characterized as a National Level, Special and Important project. It is typical that this project was designated for the first time as a project of National Importance in 1998!

The acute problem of Corfu is being addressed

With the construction of the envisaged projects, the appropriate storage, treatment and management of the available water resources (surface and underground) will be achieved. This will ensure the island’s water supply, which is particularly burdened in the summer months, with guaranteed quality and a sufficient quantity of water.

The yield is expected to be 16.3 million m3 annually of good quality drinking water. This amount exceeds the needs for the reference year 2040, which are determined at 15.4 million m3, while there will be 3 million m3 available from “good and moderate” wells or boreholes.

The project will contribute to the upgrading of the chemical composition of the underground water systems, which have undergone salinity penetration due to over-pumping. Furthermore, it will improve the island’s potential for the production of clean electricity, contributing positively to the country’s RES balance, ensuring the energy autonomy of the facilities and possibly contributing to the energy autonomy of the island in general.

The project has approved environmental conditions, valid until 2025, both for the construction and operation of the Melissoudi and Kalamiotissa dams, as well as the other water supply projects on the island of Corfu. Also, the water desalination-softening installation of Chrysiida, has received a Decision on the Approval of Environmental Terms.

The object of the project

The proposed Public-Private partnership concerns the construction, financing, maintenance and operation of the “Corfu Island Water Supply through PPP” project. The object includes the construction, operation and maintenance of the Melissoudi dams, the Kyprianades and Kalamiotissa diversions, with the works of bringing water from the dams to the water main for the distribution works and the other accompanying technical works. Also, the construction, operation and maintenance of the Water Treatment Plants (WTP) of Melissoudi and Kalamiotissa.

External networks will also be constructed, with a total length of about 220 km, four reservoirs (Choropiskopon, Troumbetas, Strogylis, Nea Dexameni Meliteion), four pumping stations (Melissoudi A and D, Latomion, Kalamiotissa) and four booster pumping stations, together with their operation and maintenance.

The contractor will also undertake the operation and maintenance of the Chrysiida Water Softening Plant, the Potamos reservoir, the B-PO River pumping station and 3 borehole pumping stations (Chrysiidas, Rartourou, Zougra). Furthermore, a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system will be installed for the control and remote management of the project and relevant road construction projects and electromechanical installations will be implemented.

The Private Partnership Body will undertake to prepare the necessary studies for the construction of the project, the construction works, the financing of the project in combination with the financial contribution of the State and the operation and maintenance.