EMSCHER RENATURIERUNG III

The project will finance the investment program of North Rhine-Westphalia to modernise the regional waste water system in the period 2020 - 2024.

The aim of the project is to improve the ground- and surface water quality and ensure compliance with the Urban Waste Water Directive (91/271/EC), the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), and the Floods Directive 2007/60/EC. The project will improve the management of the Emscher River basin and the quality of life of around 2.3 million inhabitants of the Northern Ruhr area.

Several of the construction schemes included in the project might fall under Annex II of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU amending the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU. EIA procedures are carried out where required by the competent authorities and mitigating measures are applied as appropriate. Where appropriate, the requirements of the Habitats and Birds Directives (92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC) are applied. The Bank's appraisal will focus on the Promoter's environmental management capacity to properly apply these EU Directives.

The promoter has to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project will be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directive 2014/25/EU, as well as Directive 92/13/EEC as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU), with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required.