[May 2, 2026 Debre Berhan] — Construction of a nature-based wastewater treatment system for condominium housing has been officially launched in Gabriel Kebele, Tabasi Sub-city, under the Debre Berhan City Administration. The initiative is being implemented through the BRIGHT Project.
The project aims to modernize the city’s sanitation services while strengthening environmental protection through sustainable and effective wastewater management solutions.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Deputy Mayor Mr. Workalemahu Kostre highlighted that inadequate wastewater management in condominium areas has long posed serious environmental and governance challenges. He noted that the new system is expected to significantly reduce pollution in the Beressa River while addressing long-standing concerns of local residents. He further emphasized that the project will contribute to the city’s green economy ambitions and assured continued support from the city administration to ensure its timely completion.
Ms. Meseret Mengesha, General Manager of the Debre Berhan Water Supply and Sewerage Service Enterprise, underscored the limitations of the existing wastewater management system, noting that it has struggled to meet the needs of the growing urban population. She explained that the new intervention is designed to address these gaps and will be integrated with the ongoing construction of an Anaerobic Baffle Reactor (ABR), enhancing overall system efficiency and pollution reduction.
Providing an overview of the project, Dr. Bitew Kassaw, representative of the BRIGHT Project, emphasized that the construction is being carried out through close collaboration among the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE), the Water and Land Resource Center (WLRC), and the BRIGHT Project, with strong technical oversight from sector experts. He noted that, once completed, the system will significantly improve wastewater management in the city.
In addition to creating a cleaner and healthier environment, the project will enable the reuse of treated wastewater for various development purposes, contributing to more sustainable resource use.
The construction is being financed by the Government of the Netherlands and the European Union, with a budget exceeding 33 million Ethiopian Birr. The facility will be developed on a 1,200 square meter site. The launch event brought together officials and experts from the city administration and the water and sewerage service enterprise, representatives of the BRIGHT Project, and the contractor, Tedat Construction PLC.
