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COWI wins two major environmental EU projects in Turkey 

Photo: COWI
Significant amounts of wastewater in Turkey are discharged into the environment without being treated. Wastewater treatment plants in 15 towns will help reverse this.
COWI has been chosen by the Turkish government to run two EU projects valued at around EUR 6.4 million. Over two million people will benefit from improvements in water supply and wastewater treatment plants in 23 towns.

The Turkish water environment is in need of improvement, so the EU has agreed to sponsor two major projects that will enable the introduction of wastewater treatment plants in 15 towns and a water supply for eight towns in eastern Turkey. Some 2.4 million people will benefit from this initiative.

Before these projects can be started, all 23 towns must be surveyed and the designs completed so that in 12 months' time the EU, other sponsors and the Turkish government can make available the EUR 3.3 billion projected cost.

COWI selected to run both projects

COWI is managing the two consortiums, each comprising four partners, chosen by the Turkish government to handle tasks such as planning, evaluations and the preparation of tender documents for the projects. These consortiums were chosen from 16 that pre-qualified. The total value of the two contracts is EUR 6.4 million.

Vice president at COWI, Mogens Heering explains, "It is a testament to our professional expertise in the region that both projects have been handed over to us. Turkey has been one of COWI's focus areas since 2005 and we have been able to put together strong teams comprising both engineers and economists to handle different tasks."

An exciting and logistically demanding task

According to chief project manager Karsten Vesth-Hansen, if all goes to plan - including the financing - the 23 towns will be enjoying the benefits of an improved water environment by 2011.

The tight deadline will be a major challenge for COWI.

"This project is very intensive and logistically demanding because we have just one year to produce 150 reports and designs for plants in all 23 towns, in both English and Turkish," says Karsten Vesth-Hansen.

Water projects paving the way for membership of the EU

The Danish ambassador to Turkey, Jesper Vahr, is looking forward to COWI's involvement in this project:

"As well as being proud of the fact that Denmark, through COWI, will play a very active a role in these two projects, I am pleased that we can be involved in helping Turkey to meet the environmental requirements considered necessary for them to qualify for EU membership. Environmental issues are a very high priority and Denmark is assisting in the negotiation process.

"Regardless of whether Turkey attains membership or not, these projects are vital because they will improve both the environment and the living conditions for the Turkish people."

By Kathrine Schmeichel, kats@cowi.com  
Published: 08.01.2008

Wastewater treatment & water supplies in 23 towns 

The wastewater project
This project includes establishing sewerage and wastewater treatment systems in 15 towns across Turkey. Some 1.9 million people will benefit from it, at a cost of EUR 2.3 billion.

COWI is the lead consultant  in a consortium that includes the COWI Group company COWI SNS, and Turkish companies UBM and Encon. The contract is valued at EUR 3.8 million.

Water supply

The water supply project includes establishing and re-establishing the water supply in eight towns – seven in eastern Turkey and one in the central part. The project will ensure clean drinking water for half a million people and cost approximately EURO 1 billion.
 
COWI is the chief advisor in a consortium that includes the COWI Group company COWI SNS, Turkish company Su-Yapi and Belgian/British company, MWH. This contract is valued at EUR 2.6 million.

Turkey has a population of 72 million people.

LAST UPDATED: 25.11.2009