Let it rain: Who will create Romania's EUR 77 mln WATMAN flooding prevention system

Romania’s Environment Minister will pay EUR 77 million for an informational system designed to prevent and reduce the destructive consequences of flooding. An association formed of local firms Simar SRL, Expert One Research, Rokura and UTI Group won the contract to make this system, according to Mediafax. Three other consortia of companies placed bids for this contract, which was put for auction in October 2013. The system, which is named WATMAN – Informational System for Integrated Water Management – Phase I, is financed through European Funds. It should be finalized in July 2015. The project consists of installing monitoring equipment for the water management infrastructure, implementing an alarm system in floodplains, creating a rapid intervention system, modernizing the communications systems and integrating the meteorological system with the hydrological and water management systems. Dimar SRL is a road and freeway construction company controlled by local businessman Iulian Dragunoiu, according to Mediafax. UTI Group is an IT, communications and security systems provider controlled by Romanian businessman Tiberiu Urdareanu. Rokura is a data and voice communication systems integrator and is also owned by Romanian entrepreneurs. Expert One Research is an IT services provider controlled by Romanian businessman Dan Ionut Rizea. editor@romania-insider.com