The Ministry of the Environment in cooperation with the Estonian Water Association, the Estonian Water Enterprises Association, and the Association of Estonian Cities, will organize a conference "Estonian Water Day 2003" in the conference centre of hotel "Central" (at 7 Narva Road, Tallinn) on Monday, March 24, at 11.30 a.m. According to Mr. Ain Lääne, Chairman of the Estonian Water Association, rapid progress has been made in Estonia since the mid-1990s at the improvement of drinking water supply and treatment of domestic waste water, however, a number of legal problems can be specified that hinter the implementation of water management plans. Those problems will be discussed at the conference by Mr. Ain Lääne of the Estonian Water Association and Mr. Enn Lenk of the Estonian Water Enterprises Association Ms. Eva Kraav, Adviser on Environmental Economics of the Ministry of the Environment, will make a presentation concerning the price of water in Estonia as compared with the other European Union candidate states and the possibilities for future developments regarding this issue. According to Ms. Kraav, the price of water in Estonia is among the highest of all EU candidate countries. "In 2000, the price of drinking water and sewage in Estonia was 14.7 Estonian kroon (equivalent to nearly 1 EUR). This was only exceeded by the corresponding number of Hungary where the price of water in 2000 was 16.4. Water price will undoubtedly continue increase in the future. In the developed European countries, the price of water in 1990 exceeded the Estonian number at least threefold. Water price in Estonia will continue changing towards such values," said Ms. Kraav. For meeting the requirements specified by the water directives of the European Union, Estonia will need to spend 9200 Estonian kroon per inhabitant. Lithuania plans to meet those requirements by spending 2300 kroon per inhabitant, Poland - by 4400 and Hungary by 8300 kroon, Latvia estimates the need at up to 13,000 kroon per inhabitant. Issues to be discussed at the conference will also include the role and possibilities of local governments at the development of water management in Estonia, the modern drinking water purification technologies, and the preservation of habitats of threatened fish species in the flowing water bodies. The winner of the Oras Water Saving Prize of 2003, for marking achievements in the area of saving and rational use of water, will be announced at the Water Day Conference. At the Water Day, companies active in the area of water management will also introduce themselves. The conference "Estonian Water Day 2003" will be dedicated to the Global Freshwater Year. Everyone interested in water management and protection is invited to participate. For additional information please contact: |
