France's EGIS is about to begin a study for the financing, construction and operation of a wastewater treatment plant in Skopje, Macedonia.

This study of high environmental importance, carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and Skopje City Hall, will give Macedonia valuable access to French know-how in sustainable technologies in waste water treatment.

The study, which will be conducted by EGIS with the support of the Macedonian consultancy BAR E.C.E., has three aims:

• Update the existing studies, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the European Directive.

• Propose sewage treatment solutions to meet current and future needs and which protect the environment and satisfy economic and social priorities and constraints.

• Establish a financial structure for the project best suited to the client's economic and financial situation. This will include considering the development of a Public-Private partnership (PPP).

The city of Skopje has a population of 600,000 and a substantial industrial fabric which increases the city's current waste water treatment requirements to over 1,000,000 in population equivalent. Skopje is located on the upper course of the Vardar River, and is located on a major north-south Balkan route between Belgrade and Athens.