Shiraz Water & Wastewater Company (SWWC)has invited local and international consultants to submit bids by 14 October for the design contract to expand and rehabilitate the city's water distribution networks. The project is being financed by the World Bank.

The project involves upgrading the networks on the basis of a feasibility study assessing demand up to 2027, which assumes service for a population of about 2 million. Some detailed design has already been prepared for six pressure zones and two reservoirs. The new consultant will be responsible for reviewing the existing feasibility study, preparing detailed designs, drawing maps and bills of quantity and drawing up technical specifications for the works. The company must also prepare bid documents according to World Bank guidelines.

The World Bank is financing a string of water and sewerage projects across Iran. The projects are part of a wider scheme for updating the water and sanitation networks of Shiraz and Ahwaz.

Other World Bank schemes have included those in Hamadan and Yazd and the construction of a large water canal in the northern provinces of Mazandaran and Golestan.