WaterTrap Project Officially Launches: Strengthening Wastewater Management in the Prespa Basin

On 15 December 2025, the Municipality of Prespes hosted the official kick-off meeting for the WaterTrap project in Laimos, Prespes Municipality, Greece. The project marks a significant step toward environmental restoration in the transboundary Prespa basin.

The meeting brought together the Lead Partner, Municipality of Prespes (Greece), and the Project Partner, Korca Regional Company Water Supply and Sanitation JSC (Albania), alongside representatives from the Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat and municipal officials from the wider Prespa area.

A Shared Vision for a Greener Prespa WaterTrap is implemented under Priority 1 of the Programme: “A greener and more resilient cross-border region.” The project aims to address critical sanitation gaps by delivering modern wastewater infrastructure to settlements that currently discharge untreated waste into the sensitive lake ecosystem.

The partnership confirmed the technical scope of the interventions:

• In Greece: Installation of two compact, low-carbon wastewater treatment plants in the settlements of Vrontero and Kottas. These systems will feature photovoltaic integration and remote monitoring to ensure energy autonomy and efficiency.

• In Albania: Construction of a new sewer network and wastewater treatment plant in Tren (Municipality of Devoll), aimed at eliminating untreated discharges and stabilizing service continuity.

Beyond infrastructure, the project will deliver a Joint Action Plan for basin-wide wastewater management and introduce educational eco-tours to connect locals and visitors with these sustainable solutions.

Meeting Outcomes and Next Steps The kick-off meeting focused on operational readiness. The Managing Authority emphasized the environmental sensitivity of the region and the need for strict adherence to the project timeline.

Key decisions included:

• Procurement: Tendering for the main infrastructure works is scheduled to launch in early 2026, with an estimated construction duration of 10 months.

• Permitting: Environmental permitting for the Greek sites is nearing completion, while the construction permit for Tren will be secured through the Municipality of Devoll prior to tendering.

• Coordination: A shared commitment to continuous cross-border cooperation was established to ensure successful delivery by 2027.

By combining infrastructure upgrades with strategic planning and community awareness, WaterTrap is set to improve public health and protect the biodiversity of the Prespa Lakes for years to come.