IFSynergy - cross-border cooperation in SMART management of public water supply systems in Ivano-Frankivsk and Siedlce.

Project will be implemented in the area of ​​the border between Poland and Ukraine in the city of Siedlce (S) and the city of Ivano-Frankivsk (IF).The main objective of project is in line with the assumptions of the Interreg NEXT Poland-Ukraine Programme by supporting the development processes of border regions.The scope of the project is in line with priority 1.Environment, Specific objective 1. 2.Promoting access to water and sustainable water management. The common challenges for the project partners are: -insufficiently developed water supply networks in S and IF, -low environmental awareness of residents of the cities about efficient water management. Main objective of the project is to make the monitoring and management systems of urban water supply technologically efficient, modern, which would meet today's requirements by: 1.improving public water supply network with installation of new modern equipment with new monitoring and management (ІТ) systems and as a result in both cities decreasing water losses and increasing quality of drinking water for all of citizens; 2.improving communication services for recipients using new IT (GIS systems, chatbots, new methods of access and payments) and as a result more friendly services for citizens especially for people with disabilities, increase ecological awareness of residents about using water in their cities. Main outputs of the project are: -modernised 1 water treatment plant in Siedlce with a new equipment; -modernised 1 water treatment plant by modernising 40 water pumping stations in IF with a new equipment for pressure, monitoring and management; -construction water supply network: 0,493 km in Kraszewskiego Str. in Siedlce; -one water supply emergency repair car for the water supply company in Ivano-Frankivsk and one passanger electric car for technical services in Siedlce for efficient reaction to damages in the networks; -equipment (spectrometer and chromatograph) for controlling of water quality and and quick response to changing indicators; -software with the necessary computer hardware and mobile devices for operating services for management and communication. The beneficiaries of the project will be water supply companies in Siedlce and Ivano-Frankivsk. Ivano-Frankivskvodoekotekhprom utility is 100% municipal enterprise, founded and fully owned by Ivano-Frankivsk City Council. It is responsible for water supply and sewerage networks in Ivano-Frankivsk. After the project completion Executive Committee of IF City Council by official decision will transfer all works and equipment to the balance of municipal enterprise, which will be further responsible for operation and maintenance. IF City Council as the owner of Ivano-Frankivskvodoekotekhprom ensure the sustainability of the results and the achievement of the indicators. Final beneficiaries are approx. 340.000 inhabitants, enterprises and public utility entities using the built infrastructure and improved services. (2,34 % of inhabitants on the program territory). Joint preparation of tasks covered by the project by the Polish and Ukrainian partners, joint implementation and joint financing with the participation of EU funds from the Programme in the form of co-financing are planned. The implementation of the project would not be possible without financial support from the INTERREG Programme because tariffs for the water are regulated by the state and the income of Municipal companies don't allow to cover such big investments. Additionally the war in Ukraine acts as a worsening factor for investing only with own funds. The Polish side has a better starting position in water monitoring and management, the Ukrainian side is better developed with residents' communication and IT solutions for contact and payments. Result of the project will be good synergy of resolving two main challenges in both cities by sharing knowledge and technologies on both sides of the border.