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Kohtla-Järve wastewater treatment system will pass into the ownership of local municipalities

Five local municipalities of Ida-Viru County - Jõhvi, Kohtla-Järve, Püssi, Kiviõli and Kohtla-Nõmme – have decided to establish a regional wastewater treatment company. 

According to Harry Liiv, Deputy Secretary General on Environmental Management, establishment of such company will create favourable conditions for development of wastewater treatment in the Kohtla-Järve region. Currently, the wastewater system of the region is administered by several small companies, which has hindered the development of the overall treatment system.

“Joining of local governments to establish a regional wastewater treatment company is highly welcome, since sooner or later municipalities will have to develop common renovation priorities and consider a uniform tariff policy. In this complex region, where industrial and domestic wastewater is discharged into the same sewer system, a regional company is likely to act in a more professional manner, in the interests of the whole region. Agreements between municipalities and enterprises have not proved efficient enough,” said Harry Liiv. 

The local governments will start purchasing the assets of Kohtla-Järve regional wastewater treatment system. The process of transferring the ownership of the regional wastewater treatment plant and sewers, currently owned by AS Viru Keemia Grupp, is underway. 

Renovation of Kohtla-Järve regional wastewater treatment system is planned to be co-financed from the EU ISPA Facility, for which the European Commission has already given its preliminary approval.  According to Harry Liiv, the company to be established by the municipalities has made a commitment to act as an efficient partner in the planned ISPA project.

As an outcome of the planned renovation project, a proper sewerage will be constructed in the densely populated areas of the region and wastewater will be treated in compliance with the established requirements. The current sewers are highly depreciated, and the existing treatment plant will very soon fail to ensure sufficient wastewater purification.

Additional information: Harry Liiv, Deputy Secretary General on Environmental Management, tel.: 626 2850, 050-11828