Protecting the Mediterranean environment: progress expected in Horizon 2020 investment projects

Significant progress was achieved on four investment projects implemented in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia in the framework of the Horizon 2020 environmental protection initiative for the Mediterranean (H2020), with feasibility studies launched for the Lake Burullus/Kafr El Sheikh (Egypt) and Al Ekaider (Jordan) projects and those for Al Ghadir (Lebanon) and Lake Bizerte (Tunisia) projects expected to be completed in 2012.

A press release said the four investment projects are implemented under the Mediterranean Hot Spots Investment Programme – Project Preparation and Implementation Facility (MeHSIP-PPIF), a component of the H2020 Initiative.

The projects’ activities are implemented as follows:

· Lebanon: Al Ghadir – Extension of Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)

MeHSIP-PPIF has accommodated a request from the Lebanese Government to include wastewater networks in the Ghadir drainage area. The last months have also seen the completion of an extensive exercise to finalise data collection on water supply as well as storm water management. The draft feasibility study is expected to be submitted during the next 6 months, which will include the financial and economic analysis as well as the ESIA report.

· Tunisia: Lake Bizerte - Integrated De-pollution Programme

The agreed “scoping phase” with second round of analyses to include water, wastewater, solid waste, industrial modernisation, dredging works and others was completed and discussed through a transparent public consultation process on the basis of which the preliminary list of interventions was completed. New findings indicate a rather complex situation in the case of municipal and industrial solid waste, which will require assessment of specific options for confinement and remediation. The draft feasibility study is expected to be submitted during the next 6 months.

· Jordan: Al Ekaider - Integrated Solid Waste Management Project

In close cooperation with the Jordanian counterpart a kick-off meeting took place in November (2011) marking the formal launch of the feasibility study. An inception report has been submitted and the next months will see the final determination of the project scope following baseline data collection and stakeholder consultation after which options will be identified and assessed. This will form the basis for preparation of preliminary designs accompanied by cost estimates for the suggested interventions.

· Egypt: Lake Burullus – Wastewater Expansion for Kafr El Sheikh Governorate

In close cooperation with the Holding Company of Water and Wastewater (HCWW) a kick-off workshop took place in December (2011) marking the formal launch of the feasibility study. The next months will see the completion of an assessment of the sanitation needs in the project area while an overall assessment of the depollution needs will also be done for Lake Burullus.

The Horizon 2020 initiative aims to improve the quality of life of more than 420 million citizens living in the 25 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It is an umbrella programme drawing together all the policies, strategies and action plans for enhancing environmental protection.

Horizon 2020 has mechanisms in capacity-building, research, monitoring and review that place the initiative in an excellent position to address the challenges it faces and ensure the efficient and effective use of the available resources. The inclusion of the Horizon 2020 Initiative as one of the six components of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) adds to the political impetus to address major environmental challenges.

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MeHSIP-PPIF – website

Horizon 2020 - website

Contact information	n/a
News type	Inbrief
File link	http://www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id_type=1&id=27986&lang_id=450
Source of information	ENPI Info Centre
Keyword(s)	H2020
Subject(s)	ANALYSIS AND TESTS , CHARACTERISTICAL PARAMETERS OF WATERS AND SLUDGES , DRINKING WATER , DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION : COMMON PROCESSES OF PURIFICATION AND TREATMENT , HEALTH - HYGIENE - PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISM , HYDRAULICS - HYDROLOGY , INFORMATION - COMPUTER SCIENCES , MEASUREMENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION , METHTODOLOGY - STATISTICS - DECISION AID , NATURAL MEDIUM , PREVENTION AND NUISANCES POLLUTION , RISKS AND CLIMATOLOGY , SANITATION -STRICT PURIFICATION PROCESSES , SLUDGES , TOOL TERMS , WATER QUALITY
Relation	http://www.h2020.net/
Geographical coverage	Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia
News date	15/02/2012
Working language(s)	ENGLISH

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