The head of Khuzestan Province Water and Wastewater Company (KPWWC), Ali Akbar Alimoradi announced construction of five advanced wastewater treatment plants on the Persian Gulf coast with Chinese finance.
The plan for construction of wastewater treatment plants in five coastal cities of the oil province was the first project finalized by the ministry of energy and the Chinese financer since the opening of China's credit line for Iran's economic and industrial projects, chosen out of a total five high-priority proposed projects, ILNA reported quoting the ministry's website.
"Agreements between Iran and China to expand economic and industrial cooperation, and perseverance by the ministry of energy, National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company and the Khuzestan governor's office enabled KPWWC to reach an agreement with the Chinese, which in the near future will provide the finances required for construction of five state-of-the-art sewage treatment plants in Abadan, Khorramshahr, Shadegan, Mahshahr and Imam Khomeini port," Alimoradi said.
As per this contract, 46 million euros (about $56.6 million) will be provided for construction of five wastewater treatment plants with total capacity of 230 thousand cubic meters per day, covering a population of 1.1 million per year to be operational within 36 months.
Noting that the financers are in charge of running the treatment plants for 12 months after completion, Alimoradi said the projects provide a good opportunity for the department's technicians and staff to receive training regarding running modern wastewater treatment systems.
Construction of the plants was proposed with the aim of proper utilization of wastewater networks, protecting the environment and reducing the rivers' pollution, he added.
Also announcing a memorandum of understanding worth $500 million signed between KPWWC and a well-known Chinese company, the head of KPWWC said investors from Switzerland, Netherland, South Korea and Malaysia are willing to take part in the projects' execution.
Alimoradi said the recent talks with foreign investors in coordination with the National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company and the Khuzestan governor's office are in line with KPWWC policy of reducing dependence on government funding.
"Due to the government policies to reduce funds for construction projects and curb dependence on public funds in the annual budget, KPWWC is using all legal ways, including the capacities of domestic and foreign private sector and finances, buybacks, and bonds, to finance its development projects."
