On Friday, July 31st, the rebuilt Reiņa Polder Pumping Station was opened in Nīca Parish, South Kurzeme Municipality. The pumping station was rebuilt with funding from the EU Recovery Fund and is a strategically important investment project for Latvia. The total project cost of EUR 1.8 million was financed by the EU Recovery Fund* and the Latvian state budget.
Minister for Agriculture Uldis Augulis: “Modern land drainage infrastructure is essential for a safe living environment and economic activity. Drainage systems are much more than just ditches, dams or pumping stations – they are a vital part of safety infrastructure in rural areas. They help protect people, buildings, businesses, agricultural and forest land, roads and other important infrastructure from flood damage. Timely renovation of these structures is an investment in a safer and more resilient Latvia, as climate change is making heavy rainfall and the resulting floods increasingly frequent and destructive. Developing drainage infrastructure is therefore an investment both in people’s safety and in the resilience of Latvia’s economy to the challenges posed by climate change.”
After almost two years of construction work, the reconstruction of the Reiņa Polder Pumping Station, part of the state drainage system, has been completed. A modern and energy-efficient pumping station has been built, providing more effective drainage of water from the polder area, helping to protect residents, property and agricultural land from flooding, and strengthening the area’s resilience to the challenges posed by climate change.
Construction began in September 2024 and was completed at the end of July 2026. The Reiņa Polder Pumping Station and its associated hydraulic structures were fully rebuilt and modernised, and the surrounding area was improved. New energy-efficient pumps and an automatic screen cleaner were installed, the storage basin and culvert regulators were renovated, the electricity supply systems were rebuilt, and fire detection, security and video surveillance systems were installed. These improvements significantly increase the safety, durability and operational efficiency of the hydraulic structures.
The modernised pumping station provides more effective drainage from the Reiņa Polder area, reduces the risk of flooding and improves the operation of the drainage system. This supports more sustainable management of agricultural land, reduces potential flood damage and creates safer conditions for the development of the area.
As part of the project, a mobile pump was also purchased for use in emergency situations where a stationary pump is damaged or its capacity is insufficient. The mobile pump can be used to reduce dangerously high water levels caused by natural disasters or other factors. It has a maximum flow rate of 1,260 m³ per hour and a fuel tank that allows it to operate for up to 24 hours without refuelling.
The project directly benefits more than 160 residents of Nīca Parish living in the area protected by the Reiņa Polder system, as well as owners and managers of agricultural land of national importance within the polder area. The reconstruction of the Reiņa Polder Pumping Station is a significant investment in the safety of South Kurzeme Municipality and in the development of Latvia’s flood risk reduction infrastructure. In addition to improving the technical condition of the hydraulic structures, the project strengthens the region’s ability to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, supports business development and provides a safer and more sustainable living environment for local residents.
The project was implemented by the State LTD“Ministry of Agriculture Real Estate” (ZMNĪ), which is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of state drainage systems and drainage systems of national importance. The construction design was developed by the State LTD “Meliorprojekts”, construction work was carried out by LTD “Vidzemes būvnieks”, and construction supervision was provided by LTD “SANAT”.
The Reiņa Polder system and pumping station were built in 1978. After decades of operation, the pumping station had become physically and technologically outdated, reducing its efficiency and increasing the risk of flooding in the polder area. Its reconstruction was therefore essential to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the state drainage system in the future.
Overall, ZMNĪ is implementing 22 projects under the Recovery Fund, renovating and rebuilding nine pumping stations, 12 protective dams and one canal. The total support amounts to EUR 31.7 million from the Recovery Fund, with an additional EUR 5.4 million in co-financing from the Latvian state budget.
*Investment 1.3.1.2.i. “Flood risk reduction infrastructure, including reconstruction of polder pumping stations, renovation of protective dams and restoration of regulated sections of potamal rivers” under Reform and Investment Area 1.3 “Adaptation to Climate Change” of Component 1 “Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability” of the Recovery and Resilience Facility Plan.