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City approves €427M wastewater plan and advances road, recycling reforms

A massive wastewater overhaul is coming—but will smaller recycling bins and pothole fixes win over residents? The city's bold moves spark debate.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows a city street with cars driving on it, a bridge over a river, buildings with...
The image shows a city street with cars driving on it, a bridge over a river, buildings with windows, electric poles with wires, sign boards with text, trash on the ground, plants, and a sky with clouds in the background.

City approves €427M wastewater plan and advances road, recycling reforms

The city's Infrastructure Committee has taken major steps on several key projects this month. A €427 million wastewater disposal plan was unanimously approved, while road repairs and recycling bin options also moved forward. Meanwhile, debates on budget drafts and environmental measures continue to shape local decisions.

The committee gave full backing to a €427 million wastewater disposal strategy, with the first phase alone covering 140 measures at a cost of €210 million. These will roll out between 2027 and 2032. Specific projects include upgrading drinking water networks, installing house meters, and expanding wastewater systems in Shkodra, Albania. The city is also examining ways to cut costs, such as outsourcing parts of the work.

Road maintenance remains a priority, with around 3,500 potholes already filled this year. Additional crews have been assigned to tackle the ongoing issue. However, the Strundetal path, in critical condition, may need a costly six-figure repair.

On recycling, the administration will look into offering a smaller 120-litre yellow bin as an alternative to the standard 240-litre version. This follows resident feedback on bin sizes. Meanwhile, Markus Bollen of the Greens proposed a centralised system for reporting Asian hornet nests, aiming to streamline responses to the invasive species.

The committee also approved the first phase of redesigning Refrath Cemetery's northern entrance, though some CDU members chose to abstain. No fines have yet been issued under the 2022 tree protection bylaw, with staff shortages cited as the reason. As for the 2026 budget draft, all factions abstained, delaying detailed discussions until the Finance Committee convenes.

The wastewater plan will now move to implementation, with the first watch set to begin in 2027. Road repairs and recycling options will continue as scheduled, while environmental proposals like hornet nest tracking remain under review. Budget talks, however, will wait for further committee input before any decisions are made.

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