03/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 30 November, the European Investment Bank (EIB) granted the Compagnie Intercommunale Liégeoise des Eaux (CILE) a loan of €120 million to produce and distribute quality drinking water to the 540,000 people living in Liège Province. This loan will enable CILE to finance its investment programme, which will amount to €240 million in total, over the next five years. The work planned is to meet EU objectives concerning the supply of quality drinking water to citizens, so: old lead piping will therefore be replaced; - a second pipeline from the Néblon (55 km of additional large diameter pipes) will be constructed; - ageing water mains will have to be replaced or up-graded; - investment is planned to protect the catchment areas and install water denitrification facilities. (O.L./transl.rt)