Agreement signed to finance Rusaifa cesspit remedy

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Thursday signed a grant and loan financing agreement with its strategic partner the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with the aim to provide a “comprehensive and definitive solution” to the environmental problems caused by the cesspit in Rusaifa known as the “Pepsi Pool”.

"Today we are gathered to review progress made on the Pepsi Pool project, especially given the multi-level partnership with the EBRD," Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh said at a press conference on Thursday.

The project is not only a technical solution for the 40-year-old problem, but also has an environmental focus, he said, adding that the Pepsi Pool will be converted into a park as soon as the technical phase is over.

The tender for the design and implementation of the Pepsi Pool project will be finalised in the coming week, he said. 

The mayor noted that implementation of the tender will begin in March or April of next year. The project is expected to take 18 months at a total estimated cost of JD12 million, JD8 million as grants and JD4 million as a loan from the EBRD.

This agreement is based on an original arrangement between GAM and the EBRD, under which GAM receives grants and loans in an accessible form, Shawarbeh said, noting that Engicon, a global engineering consulting firm based in Amman, conducted technical studies for the project.

The press conference witnessed a presentation by Engicon on the studies for the Pepsi Pool project, which took the engineering and consulting company six months to complete.

The feasibility study for the project included analysis of the problems caused by the pool, hydrologic and geotechnical studies and soil tests, in addition to outlining environmental measures, which consist of two parts: Draining rainwater from the pool using a culvert box, and creating water conveyance systems using micro-tunnelling.

“This project is another milestone for the EBRD in cooperation with GAM,” EBRD Regional Director for the Middle East Heike Harmgart said during the press conference. He added that the Pepsi Pool project has garnered “a lot of attention”, given the critical environmental impact of the cesspit. 

Shawarbeh expressed his gratitude to the GAM technical committee responsible for the project and representatives of Rusaifa Municipality, the Environment Ministry and the EBRD.