Hidrodrini Regional Water Company was established in 2004 to provide reliable, world-class water and wastewater services to five municipalities in Kosovo: Peja, Deçan, Istog, Klina and Junik. A joint-stock company since 2007, Hidrodrini is upgrading its facilities and services according to EU criteria.
The company is definitely making progress. It has boosted its collection rate from 60% in 2009 to around 70% this year while reducing water losses from 74% in 2009 to 68% in 2012. Hidrodrini has also been adding around 1,500 new customers every year. Thanks to its successful efforts to improve its operations, Hidrodrini has won the confidence of international donors USAID, KfW, and the Swiss government, all of which are helping the company reach its goals.
Focus on financial sustainability
Managing Director Agron Tigani says that one of Hidrodrini’s challenges is to guarantee clean drinking water to all its customers. The need to upgrade water infrastructure to prevent losses as well as the need to prevent illegal connections and unpaid water bills are other problems the company must face. He says, “Hidrodrini’s current priorities are to implement the financial support we have received from KfW and to sign contracts with all our regional consumers. Over the long term, our main goals are to achieve greater administrative efficiency, to cut down on water losses, to increase collection rates and to further improve our services. Our top target is to have a financially sustainable company.”
Hidrodrini is one of four water companies in Kosovo the USAID chose to participate in its “Small Infrastructure for Water and Sanitation” programme, a five-year initiative to upgrade water systems in four municipalities by the end of this year. Hidrodrini was also one of two Kosovo water companies whose development programmes USAID supported through its “Kosovo Water Institutional Sector Reform” effort in 2009 and 2010.
As it continues its drive to progress, Hidrodrini aims to create more payment options, to read water metres on time, to ensure that all water bills are correct and to use legal means to prevent unpaid water services. Agron Tigani adds that staff training is crucial for the company as it modernises its operations. He says, “We are training our employees in the use of chlorination equipment, work-safety regulations, the use of new ICT technologies, maintenance of the system and other areas.” Hidrodrini is steadily working to meet all EU standards.
