MANILA, PHILIPPINES (23 September 2022) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million loan to help improve sustainability, affordability, and safety in water and wastewater management services in Jiaxiang County, the People’s Republic of China.

Jiaxiang County has prioritized actions to improve access to safe drinking water and wastewater management services. Rapid urbanization and uncontrolled groundwater abstraction are already impacting groundwater levels. Water and soil pollution caused by inadequate drainage and sewerage infrastructure and extreme precipitation events will further aggravate water security.

“Jiaxiang County faces water security issues related to supply, safe sanitation, floods, and environmental degradation,” said ADB Urban Development Specialist (Climate Change) for East Asia Jinqiang Chen. “This project will address policy and institutional gaps in the water sector and mitigate climate risks, integrate water supply and delivery of sewerage services, and improve public health and the environmental quality of waterways.”  

The Shandong West Jining Water Supply and Drainage Integration Program will improve the operational efficiency and cross-agency cooperation of water sector planning, management, and service delivery through effective policy and institutional reforms in integrated water management.

The program will fully integrate water supply and sewerage services delivery in the county with smart technology. To do this, the program will establish sustainable water supply with diverse water sources by increasing the capacity of existing groundwater treatment plants; constructing a reservoir and associated surface water treatment plant; building pipelines; and implementing a smart information system for improved planning and monitoring of water availability, surface and ground water diversions and abstraction, treatment, and distribution in urban and rural areas. The program will expand wastewater services and improve them with smart technology by constructing wastewater treatment plants and facilities, wastewater pump station, and wastewater network pipes; rehabilitating rivers; and separating sewer and drainage pipelines in prioritized urban areas.

ADB’s financing comprises a $28 million policy-based loan and a $72 million project loan. Total project cost is $212.2 million, with $112.2 million in counterpart financing from the government. It is expected to be completed in 2028.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.