A billion euros is needed to restore outdated water management infrastructure in Latvia

She admitted that the biggest challenge of Latvia’s water management service industry is outdated infrastructure – especially in small populated areas.

In the next 20 years, one billion euros will be needed to implement the new European Union (EU) requirements for wastewater treatment, as well as not to worsen the existing situation. By 2045, the new and stricter requirements will have to be gradually introduced in approximately 20 of the largest cities in Latvia.

Vesere explained that by 2035, it will be necessary to ensure that domestic wastewater is collected in the centralized sewage system in approximately 130 populated areas. Currently, 16 of these villages do not have a centralized sewage system at all.

About 20 of the largest cities’ wastewater treatment plants will have to ensure energy neutrality, rainwater management and implement extended monitoring. Vesere admitted that Latvia is still not doing well with rainwater management.

Vesere pointed out that only 35% of surface water bodies in Latvia are in good ecological condition, 86% of underground water bodies are in good chemical condition. A goal has been set throughout the EU that by 2030, at least 25,000 kilometers of rivers should be made free-flowing again. In Latvia, the free flow of rivers is currently hindered by more than 1,500 obstacles, such as dams, dams, culverts and other structures.

Vesere recognized the creation of a flood risk management system as an important aspect for Latvia. Although floods do not occur every year in Latvia, for example, last year’s flood in Jēkabpilī caused considerable damage to the infrastructure and residents’ homes, said the representative of VARAM. She reminded that 32 places were identified as flood risk areas of national significance in the initial flood risk assessment. The implementation of the EU co-financed anti-flood project in Jēkabpilis has started last year, and at the beginning of this year, 12 project ideas in 11 municipalities were approved in the results of project pre-selection.

Latvian Center for Environment, Geology and Meteorology (LVĜMC), by surveying municipalities, has started updating the initial flood risk assessment.

Magda Jentgena, head of the WWF’s Baltic Sea and Freshwater Program, emphasized that as a result of achieving the goals set by the EU, the population of Latvia would get accessible and clean water, and biodiversity would improve. The beneficiaries would also be the agricultural sector, fishing, tourism.

Jentgen emphasized that every euro invested in nature restoration returns eight euros to the economy.

Chairman of the Saeima Sustainable Development Commission Uģis Mitrevics (NA), opening the conference, highlighted the importance of water in human life and existence in general, as well as our own care and responsibility for clean water.

“Water resources and water quality – these issues affect each of us. Everyday we feel that we do not appreciate what has been given to us for free forever – Gauja and Daugava flow freely, the sea is free. Also the water in the tap, which is drinkable and becoming more and more high-quality, it costs relatively little. It seems self-evident,” said the deputy.

As LETA was informed by the Press Service of the Saeima, Mitrevics also noted to the audience that one quarter of the world’s population suffers from a lack of drinking water, and due to climate change, it is a global problem. Looking at the general trends in the context of water pollution, Latvia is also one of the players, and not in a positive sense, emphasized the head of the commission.

On the other hand, Atis Labucis (AS), Secretary of the Environment, Climate and Energy Subcommittee of the Commission for National Economy, Agrarian, Environmental and Regional Policy, emphasizing the importance of water resources and its wide use, emphasized that only healthy bodies of water ensure high biodiversity and related ecosystem services .

“Today, when we face many challenges in various fields, including ensuring the sustainability of Latvian waters, we must assess not only economic, but also environmental and social factors. Scientifically based management must be established, taking into account the impact of the environment, climate and man on natural processes, ” said Labucis.

“The Constitution gives us the right to live in a favorable environment, but with regard to water, we have not achieved this at the moment. I hope that today’s conference will provide more clarity on the situation of Latvian waters and the knowledge that may have to be acquired anew in order to use seas, rivers and improving the quality of lakes,” said the head of the subcommittee.

Conference “Sustainability of Latvian waters and how to achieve it?” is organized by the Saeima in cooperation with the World Nature Fund to introduce politicians to the problems related to water quality and resources, as well as to plan specific measures to solve these problems.

Invited environmental and water experts provide an overview of the current situation in inland waters and marine territory, identifying the main problems and looking for possible solutions.