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“If we do nothing, if we continue with the same problem, we will receive really important fines. There is talk of sanctions of several hundred million euros for Lithuania, “Simonas Gentvilas told a news conference on Friday.
According to him, 2021 will be decisive in the implementation of these directives.
“This year will be decisive, whether Lithuania pays hundreds of millions in fines or deals with the problems that lurk in the drawers,” the minister said.
According to S. Gentvilas, in July 2020, 38.5 thousand. residents who live in areas that should be connected to centralized sewer networks have not been connected.
“The report of the State Audit Office contains the fact that Lithuania cleans only 47 percent. Municipal wastewater, and the goal is that by 2030 we will have urban areas and residential agglomerations that exceed 2,000. 95% of the population, we are going to clean up, ”he said.
Later, the BNS Environment Ministry clarified that the fact that Lithuania cleans only 47 percent. municipal waste is not mentioned in the report. The State Audit Office indicates that in the country only 53 percent. The bodies of water are in good condition.
“The report of the State Audit Office contains the fact that in Lithuania only 53 percent. The bodies of water are in good condition. The goal is that by 2030 we will have urban areas and residential agglomerations that exceed 2,000. population, 95 percent. are connected to sewage “
According to the minister, the settlements with the highest number of inhabitants not connected to centralized sewage treatment are in the Vilnius region: the municipalities of Skaidiškės, Nemenčinė, Pabradė, Švenčionėliai, Švenčionys, as well as Birižai, Kupiškis and Raseiniai.
According to the minister, two dates are critical: March 1 of this year, when these municipalities must prepare infrastructure development plans, and December 31, 2022, when Lithuania will have to comply with all EU requirements.
“March 1 is the day that several municipalities have to prepare their water supply development plans and we see that we are stuck with this (…) We see that those municipalities probably will not be able to prepare for March 1,” S. Gentvilas said.
“It just came to our knowledge then.” It is very important that the municipalities themselves move, we do not always have the tools and the sanctions against them, and Europe is threatening and we are the accused as the central government, “he added.
At that time, the Minister warns residents who are not connected to centralized wastewater treatment about the possibility of an inspection visit.
“I want to send a message to the residents: if they have their own sewage treatment plant, really feel that the inspectors can visit it, ask how often they take the sewage out, ask for receipts showing that the services have been performed. We will also inspect companies that carry out individual removal of wastewater, where they use it ”, warned S. Gentvilas.
The EC launched an infringement procedure against Lithuania for the non-application of the Urban Wastewater Directive in 2017.
It was later claimed that Lithuania had not complied with all the requirements of the Directive. For example, it is considered a violation that Lithuania did not ensure that in 58 agglomerations at least 98%. wastewater is managed centrally and no more than 2% in individual wastewater treatment systems.
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