Wastewater, 30 million from EIB for proper management in Pescara

Brussels – Goal: improve wastewater management and treatment in Pescara. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is guaranteeing €30 million for Azienda Comprensoriale Acquedottistica SpA (ACA, District Aqueduct Company), the company that provides integrated water services to some 450,000 people in the provinces of Pescara, Chieti, and Teramo. The financing consists of two instalments, and the EIB is giving the go-ahead to the first, €20 million, for what is shaping up as the EIB’s first “Green Loan” to an enterprise in Abruzzo. The deal is supported by InvestEU, the European Union’s investment program heir to the old Juncker plan for strategic investments.

“With this new agreement, we reaffirm our proximity to Italian utilities and our commitment to improving water infrastructure in Italy,” stresses Milena Messori, head of the EIB office in Italy. “Thanks to InvestEU’s support, we are helping ACA Pescara to reduce water losses, increase efficiency, and ensure a high-quality water service to citizens, even in the face of the challenges posed by climate change.”

There is more. The EIB’s intervention also comes to the rescue of a country system already condemned for inefficiencies and delays in wastewater management. There are four different procedures open against Italy for the same reason. A conviction from the Court has already come in October 2021, the last referral of the series dates back to June 2023. To these is added a new referral to the court dated March 13, 2024, reflecting an intervention, that of the EIB for wastewater, which acquires even greater significance. The €30 million for Pescara is allotted to support ACA’s water and wastewater investment program for 2024–2026 and thus put one part of the country in compliance with Europe.

Italy largest recipient of EIB resources dedicated to the water sector

The European Investment Bank recalls how Italy has been “the largest recipient of resources dedicated to the water sector over the past decade,” with financial transactions signed for more than €4 billion. Specifically, the loan to ACA Pescara joins those recently announced with Iren (€200 million), Valle Umbra Servizi (€35million), ETRA (€100 million), Pugliese Aqueduct (€270 million), Como Water (€50 million), Hera Group (€460 million), ACEA (€435 million), Acque (€130 million) and CIIP (€50 million).