Through the project “Regional Capacity Development Network (RCDN) for Water Supply and Wastewater Services”, the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro organized a training entitled “Introduction to Wastewater Systems for Local-Level Decision-Makers” – Integrated Wastewater Management. The training brought together decision-makers from local self-government units (LSGs) and utility companies responsible for municipal wastewater management (WaS). The topics ranged from an overview of Montenegro’s legal and institutional framework and EU directives to the process of change, including the main stakeholders, their rights, obligations, roles and responsibilities, accompanied by an analysis of the current state of infrastructure. Municipal wastewater management, wastewater collection and treatment systems, sewage sludge and stormwater management constituted a separate thematic module of the training. In addition, participants had the opportunity to learn about the urban water cycle and the need for change, the link between municipal wastewater management and quality of life, sustainable water management, integrated municipal wastewater management (IMWWM), and the importance of strategic planning for IMWWM. Finance was another important topic for participants, covering aspects of the financial management of water supply and sewerage companies (WaS), decision-making on capital investments and cooperation between local self-government units and WaS companies, potential sources of financing, as well as tariff setting and tariff structures. The importance of communication in overcoming misconceptions, particularly regarding wastewater treatment plants, was also highlighted during the training through a session on raising environmental awareness, the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, and awareness-raising methods.
The training aimed to encourage decision-makers to take an active role in the planning and implementation of wastewater infrastructure projects and to understand the importance of the proper functioning of wastewater collection and treatment systems. It also aimed to familiarize them with the key elements and importance of integrated municipal wastewater management, as well as with the most significant aspects of financial management and the financing mechanisms for wastewater collection and treatment services.
The trainers were Nataša Bakić and Tatjana Miranović with expert support from Sanje Živković and Jelena Borozan from the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro. The training was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development, the National Project Implementation Unit for Utility Services and Environmental Protection (Project – Consulting PROCON), and Vodacom.
