Rohatyn City Council

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Rohatyn City Territorial Community, located in the northern part of Ivano-Frankivsk region, is a signatory of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and has an approved Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) until 2050. Within the SECAP, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment was conducted, which confirmed increasing threats related to extreme rainfall events, flooding of territories, deterioration of water quality, declining groundwater levels and droughts. Based on this assessment, a list of climate change adaptation measures was defined, part of which is proposed for implementation within this project.
The wastewater treatment plant of Rohatyn operates on outdated equipment, has increased energy consumption and a limited capacity to ensure stable quality of treated wastewater, especially during peak flows and heavy rainfall. This increases the risk of insufficiently treated effluents entering the natural environment, which is particularly associated with the climate threat “water-borne diseases”. A survey of the current condition of the treatment plant has already been carried out and a list of technical measures required for its modernisation has been identified, including the renewal of pumping and aeration equipment, automation systems and energy management.
At the same time, in the central part of the town, in particular on Shashkevycha Street, the system of organised stormwater drainage is either absent or insufficiently developed. During extreme rainfall events, local flooding occurs, traffic and pedestrian conditions deteriorate, and residential buildings and urban infrastructure are negatively affected. The SECAP of Rohatyn Territorial Community envisages as separate measures the “design of a stormwater drainage system in the town centre” and the “construction of a stormwater drainage system in the town centre” using nature-based solutions.
The project combines two key infrastructure directions: modernisation of the Rohatyn wastewater treatment plant using advanced treatment technologies and energy-efficient equipment, as well as the creation of a stormwater drainage system on Shashkevycha Street, including the construction of a stormwater pipeline section at least 400–430 m long, installation of storm inlets and a demonstration “rain garden” as a nature-based solution. As a result, it is expected to reduce energy consumption by 105 MWh/year, decrease CO₂ emissions by 45.3 t/year, increase the treatment plant capacity (by 600 m³) and significantly reduce the risk of flooding in the town centre.
The comprehensive implementation of infrastructure, organisational, educational and communication activities will enhance the climate resilience of Rohatyn Territorial Community, improve water quality and living conditions for the population, and create a demonstrative example of climate change adaptation using nature-based solutions that can be replicated in other communities of Ukraine and Eastern Partnership countries. Experts from the Ukrainian Non-Commercial Energy Agency, who have experience in sustainable development, energy efficiency and climate issues, are expected to be involved in project implementation.
OBJECTIVE: To enhance the climate resilience and environmental safety of the town of Rohatyn by modernising the wastewater treatment plant and establishing an effective stormwater management system on Shashkevycha Street, ensuring high-quality wastewater treatment, reducing flood risks and lowering greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Specific Objective “Climate change adaptation, risk prevention and disaster resilience (SO 2.4)” of Priority 1 of the Interreg VI-A NEXT “Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine” Programme.
LEAD PARTNER (MUNICIPALITY FROM Hungary – Slovakia – Romania):
PROGRAMME PRIORITY: Priority 1: “A resilient and green border region”.
PROGRAMME SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: Specific objective “Climate change adaptation, risk prevention and disaster resilience (SO 2.4)” – to increase the resilience of the border region to the impacts of climate change by improving water resources management, preventing flood and inundation risks, developing blue-green infrastructure and strengthening the capacity of local authorities to plan and implement adaptation measures.
ACTIONS FOR THE UKRAINIAN SIDE:
1. Modernisation of the Rohatyn Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Detailed inspection of the technical condition of the wastewater treatment plant and updating of the design and cost estimate documentation for its modernisation.
- Installation of variable frequency drives for pumping equipment to optimise energy consumption.
- Upgrade of the oxygen supply automation system in aeration tanks, replacement of equipment for recirculation of activated sludge, installation of an additional blower.
- Replacement of the aeration system in aeration tanks with a fine-bubble system to improve the efficiency of biological wastewater treatment.
- Introduction of a monitoring system for energy consumption and treated wastewater quality, aimed at achieving energy savings of 105 MWh/year, CO₂ emission reduction of 45.3 t/year and an increase in the treatment plant capacity by 600 m³.
2. Establishment of a Stormwater Management System on Shashkevycha Street
- Development and revision of design and cost estimate documentation for the construction of a stormwater drainage system in the central part of Rohatyn (Shashkevycha Street) as a SECAP adaptation measure to extreme rainfall events.
- Construction of a stormwater pipeline section at least 400–430 m long with pipe installation, storm inlets and connection to existing networks.
- Construction of a demonstration “rain garden” (1 unit) as a nature-based solution for retaining and infiltrating stormwater, reducing peak flows and improving the microclimate of the street.
- Modernisation of the drainage system taking into account the needs of people with reduced mobility, cyclists and pedestrians.
3. Development of a Greening Concept and Blue-Green Infrastructure for Rohatyn Territorial Community
- Preparation of a greening concept for the settlements of the community with a focus on nature-based solutions (rain gardens, permeable surfaces, green plantations that retain moisture).
- Integration of blue-green infrastructure development measures into the SECAP, the Community Development Strategy and other local planning documents.
- Identification of pilot areas for further scaling up of the solutions tested on Shashkevycha Street and at the wastewater treatment plant.
4. Institutional Strengthening and Planning of Climate Change Adaptation Measures
- Establishment/update of a working group on climate change adaptation under the Executive Committee of Rohatyn City Council.
- Development and implementation of internal procedures for planning, implementation and monitoring of adaptation measures (including stormwater management and water infrastructure modernisation).
- Strengthening the capacity of Rohatyn City Council and the Municipal Enterprise “Rohatyn-Vodokanal” in preparing and implementing climate investment projects, in particular through trainings, consultations and mentoring from partners.
5. Awareness-Raising and Educational Activities for the Community Population
- Conducting educational activities in schools and kindergartens of Rohatyn Territorial Community on the causes and consequences of climate change, the importance of adaptation, and the role of water and nature-based solutions in the urban environment.
- Information campaigns for residents on stormwater harvesting and reuse, efficient water consumption and the importance of clean water for health.
- Communication activities: publications on the website and social media of Rohatyn City Council, “Rohatyn-Vodokanal” and partner organisations; materials in local and regional media; photo and video documentation of project implementation.
- A final public event to present project results, exchange experience and discuss possibilities for replicating approaches in other communities.
6. Joint Cross-Border Activities within Climate Change Adaptation
- Joint development and exchange of best practices with the lead partner (a municipality from Hungary, Slovakia or Romania) on stormwater management, wastewater treatment plant modernisation and the use of nature-based solutions.
- Joint online and on-site trainings/seminars for water utility and municipal experts on technical solutions, operation of modernised systems and adaptation planning.
- Organisation of study visits to explore best practices in the partner municipality and to demonstrate implemented solutions in Rohatyn.
- Joint information campaigns and exchange of statistical data (volumes of treated wastewater, reduction of flooding, energy consumption, CO₂ emissions), enabling assessment of the project’s impact on the climate resilience of the communities and serving as a basis for future joint initiatives.
ESTIMATED BUDGET: The estimated total amount of project grant funding (EU contribution) is EUR 1500000.
The following distribution is envisaged:
- 60% – to the lead partner (approximately EUR 900000) as the entity bearing the main responsibility for project management, coordination and reporting;
- 40% – to the Ukrainian partner, Rohatyn City Territorial Community / Municipal Enterprise “Rohatyn-Vodokanal” (approximately EUR 600000) for the implementation of infrastructure, institutional, educational and communication activities in the community.
The exact budget structure by components (modernisation of the wastewater treatment plant, construction of the stormwater drainage system, nature-based solutions, development of the greening concept, training and communication activities, joint cross-border actions) will be detailed at the stage of preparing design and cost estimate documentation and filling in the application form.