Denis Tahiri
In Albania, the water supply sector continues to face serious problems due to political appointments and mismanagement. This phenomenon has created a burden for these enterprises, which are overwhelmed with excess staff and are facing a lack of investment in infrastructure and automation.
Main Problem Points
- Non-revenue water: In 2023, 64.7% of produced water has not been billed, a percentage far from the target set by the Water Regulatory Authority (ERRU) of 30%. Many of the losses come from amortized network and illegal interference.
- The 2022 reform: In an effort to improve management, 58 enterprises merged into 14 regional companies. However, some areas continue to have the same problems with sustainable water supply and performance.
- Labor costs: In 2023, 54% of the operating costs of the water supply sector went to wages, with a low staff efficiency (4.56 employees per 1000 connections). Despite efforts to reduce staff, the sector remains overburdened.
Political Employment and Nepotism
Politically based hiring remains a common practice in the sector. Although the government announced in 2021 a plan to eliminate political influence in these enterprises, the situation remains unchanged. According to Pirro Cenko, an experienced engineer, the system urgently needs automation and staff reduction, based on real needs, not political interest.
ERRU Performance Report
ERRU has emphasized that increasing staff efficiency is key to improving the sector. The 2023 report notes that despite a small reduction in the number of employees, the sector remains understaffed, many of whom do not have the appropriate qualifications for their positions.
While the water supply sector has gone through several reforms to solve persistent problems, the expected results have not yet been achieved. The question of when Albanians will have a stable supply of water remains unanswered.
Read the full article on the research https://ina.media/2024/11/10/punesimet-ne-ujesjellesa-histori-qe-nuk-po-ndryshon/
