The GIZ implemented Project CPWS aims to implement the central ideas of the reform at the national and local level of drinking water supply and sanitation in Albania. This involves systematically applying and refining new instruments and procedures for implementing performance orientation and accountability at local level in municipal authorities and their water utilities, and making recommendations for expansion across the country. In addition, the project provides advisory services on improving the management, operation and maintenance of treatment plants and raises the population’s awareness of topics related to wastewater management.

The realisation of the EU financed action "EU support Wastewater management and treatment services" (EUSWAM), has been delegated to GIZ and forms part of the CPWS. The specific objective of the EUSWAM Action is to reduce pollution in Adriatic coastal water via strengthened capacities and operation and maintenance of wastewater infrastructure along the coast and in particular in selected municipalities that have benefited from EU support for the development of their wastewater management infrastructure:

• Result 1: Improvement of the performance and performance reporting of selected wastewater utilities along the coast of Albania;
• Result 2: Strengthening of the capacity of the new National Agency for Water Supply and Wastewater (AKUM) with a particular focus on the waste water sub-sector in line with its recently approved enhanced mandate and policies;
• Result 3: The improvement of the operation and maintenance of existing coastal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP);
• Result 4: The build-up of the awareness and participation of the stakeholders of the waste water sector on the importance of: (a) advancing the fulfilment of EU water regulatory requirement especially toward the Urban Waste water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and (b) encouraging that water utilities delivering waste water related services  (collection and treatment) are reasonably covering their costs to ensure sustainability of services in line with prevailing government policies in the sector.