13 June 2012 - This study responds to the request by the Government to contribute to the updating of the Water Strategy and Plan; offer direction for the new sector policy; identify practical, priority investments;and by doing so help alignment with the EU acquis and its policies.

The study focuses on Ibër River Basin and Ibër Lepenc Water System aimed at identification of water resources, water demands and the assessment of water situation and measures which need to be undertaken.

The study has the specific objectives to: assist the government to improve its river basin planning and management by providing (for demonstration purposes) a replicable tool/simulation model for integrated river basin planning and management; and support the government in its identification of priority measures of structural and non-structural nature to help strengthen the water resources sector performance. The source(s) for the financing of the identified projects would need to be identified further by the Government as the World Bank has not committed to involvement in the sector.

The study has showed the importance of investments on water security in Central Kosovo and has identified priority measures for short term run for a planning period of 3 to 6 years. The study needs to be completed with further analysis in order to confirm whether the proposed measures are the best option with the lowest cost to treat the situation over water security. 

However, the analysis has suggested that most of these measures can be considered "no regret" measures, as they need to betaken irrespective of the different development scenarios, and to address situations that will soon take emergency forms due to the poor condition of the infrastructure and the growing demand against stagnating supply and climate changes which would aggravate water supply situation after 2020.