The Osh Solid Waste Project (EBRD Project ID: 42471) was initiated in the Kyrgyz Republic to address critical environmental and public health challenges associated with inadequate solid waste management in Osh City.
The project’s core objective was to fundamentally transform the city’s waste infrastructure, moving away from an existing dumpsite to a modern, sanitary, and environmentally compliant system.
Key Stakeholders
The Challenge
Osh City faced significant challenges related to solid waste, notably the operation of an old, non-sanitary dumpsite that posed environmental risks, including soil and aquifer contamination from untreated leachate.
To secure necessary international financing from the EBRD, the project required meticulous preparation, encompassing complex technical designs, rigorous environmental compliance, and the establishment of a robust project implementation structure. The existing dumpsite needed to be safely closed and remediated, and a new, phased sanitary landfill had to be designed and prepared for construction. This demanded a multi-disciplinary team to navigate local regulations, international standards, and the stringent requirements of the financing institution.
The Solution and Scope of Work
FORLOG AG was contracted to provide comprehensive consulting services, covering the entire project lifecycle from initial assessment to tender supervision. The scope was structured around distinct, critical tasks to ensure the technical and financial viability of the planned investment.
1. Technical and Feasibility Assessment
The initial phase involved reviewing existing studies and performing thorough due diligence.
- Inception Report (August 2020): Officially mobilized the project team and reviewed the project framework.
- Technical Due Diligence Report (September 2020): Focused on the proposed land plot for the new sanitary landfill and the existing dumpsite. This included assessing topography, soil, hydrogeological conditions, and existing infrastructure.
2. Engineering Design and Environmental Planning
This phase provided the core technical blueprint for the civil works.
-
Preliminary Design Report for the New Sanitary Landfill (May 2021):
Developed the design for a new, sanitary facility, which was later updated to consider
phased construction. Key technical deliverables included:
- Geology, Hydrogeology, and Geotechnical Reports.
- Detailed water management calculations, including the use of the HELP Model to project leachate and runoff.
- Design for a Landfill Gas Collection and Treatment System, aligning with international best-practices and EU Directives (e.g., Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC).
- Detailed Design for the Closure and Remediation of the Existing Dumpsite: Planned the rehabilitation of the old site to mitigate its long-term environmental impact.
3. Implementation Support and Procurement
To enable construction, the consultancy provided crucial Project Implementation Unit (PIU) support:
-
Procurement and Tendering: Assisted Osh Tazalyk with the procurement
process, preparing tender documents and contracts for the civil works, which were structured
into two lots:
- Lot 1: Construction of the New Sanitary Landfill (planned time for completion: 495 days).
- Lot 2: Closure and Rehabilitation of the Existing Dumpsite.
- Contract Management: Provided contract supervision services, with the Consultancy Contract formally signed on February 21, 2022.
- Environmental & Social Compliance: Supported the development and implementation of the Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) and the Project Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) to ensure compliance with EBRD’s performance requirements.
Key Outcomes and Impact
The Osh Solid Waste Project successfully transitioned from the planning and design phase to a ready-to-implement procurement stage, culminating in a detailed Final Report (February/July 2022).
Strategic Impact
By establishing a robust PIU framework and delivering meticulous engineering designs, the project laid the groundwork for a major investment that will lead to an improved level of solid waste service and a significant reduction in environmental pollution for the citizens of Osh.
The project’s successful execution of the consultancy contract provided the Client with:
- Modern Infrastructure Design: A fully designed new sanitary landfill, with phased construction (Phase 1 covering Cells 1A & 1B) to manage costs and capacity.
- Environmental Mitigation: Detailed plans for managing leachate and landfill gas, and a definitive strategy for the closure of the environmentally non-compliant dumpsite.
- Bankability: The extensive technical documentation, financial proposals, and compliance with the EBRD’s technical, environmental, and social requirements (including a detailed Resettlement Action Plan) ensured the project was prepared for the next stage of implementation and financing.