Background of the cooperation
The operating partnership between Apa Canal Chișinău (ACC), Stadtentwässerung Dresden (SEDD) and Fernwasserversorgung Elbaue-Ostharz (FEO) aims to improve the efficiency of water supply and wastewater disposal services provided by the operator Apa Canal Chişinău in the Republic of Moldova by sharing knowledge and experience and bringing them into line with European standards.
The collaboration between ACC and SEDD on wastewater disposal began back in 2024. As SEDD, as a municipal drainage company, can only cover wastewater issues and topics relating to drinking water supply are of particular interest to ACC, an additional regional partner was sought. FEO, a regional operator with extensive expertise in drinking water extraction, treatment and distribution, therefore took on this part of the cooperation.
Contents of the working meeting in Torgau
During the three-day visit, the delegation from Chișinău gained comprehensive insights into the structures, processes and technical facilities of FEO. FEO’s management and experts presented the company and explained its organisational structure and responsibilities, as well as its customer service and consumer relations processes.
Visits to central facilities
The colleagues visited the Torgau-Ost waterworks together to show their Moldovan partners modern water treatment and disinfection facilities and give them an insight into the drinking water laboratory, which operates in accordance with EU legislation. They also visited the Wienrode waterworks to analyse the processes involved in water extraction, treatment and distribution, as well as the laboratory for testing raw and treated water quality. Finally, they visited the Rappbode Dam, the supplier’s important source of drinking water.
Technical discussions and technical insights
The experts from both sides exchanged views on topics including:
- Water quality and analysis methods
- Maintenance, renovation and corrosion protection of pipe networks
- Safety measures for ongoing operations
- Construction projects and energy management
- Meter and asset management
- Control systems and dispatching
- Digital network management systems, including GIS
- Tariff models, contract processes and consumption measurement
- Energy efficiency measures
Prospects for further cooperation
The delegation from Chișinău showed great interest in deepening cooperation. The partners therefore agreed to form joint working groups that will exchange information regularly online. In addition, a return visit by the FEO to Chișinău is planned in the near future.
In terms of topics, ACC and FEO intend to exchange ideas in future on the adaptation and further development of risk management (e.g. disasters, crises, water quality risks), support for the reform of contracts and tariff systems, the introduction of an SAP system including employee involvement, and the development of an efficient maintenance and repair concept for the drinking water network.