In Serbia, before discharge into rivers and lakes, due to the small number of plants, less than 8% of municipal wastewater is treated, and an additional problem is the water discharged by the economy into the same sewage network or recipients.
Measurements show the metal content in river sediments in concentrations above the limit values, mostly for nickel (33%), chromium (14%), arsenic (9%), zinc (8%), copper (6%), lead (6%) and cadmium (4%). In order to reduce pollution as soon as possible, some of the recommendations are for companies and local governments to build plants together, to provide incentives to the economy for that purpose, and to improve the work of inspectors.
The recommendations are part of the analysis of the situation in this area, conducted by NALED, which was presented at today’s webinar “Presentation of findings and recommendations for improving the wastewater system in Serbia”, the final event of the campaign “Water Month” launched by NALED, Association 3e and the Network of Inspectors of Serbia.
– In Serbia, according to estimates, it is necessary to invest 5.4 billion euros for water protection in the next 16 years. The biggest cost is the construction of treatment plants, and it is complicated by the fact that there are currently no stimulative measures for the economy in the fight against pollution. That is why the financial support of the state is crucial, especially for small and medium enterprises, which, in addition to financial, also need advisory assistance – said Srdjan Gajic, a representative of the association 3e, adding that part of the problem cities and municipalities can solve by developing their own treatment plants.
-For us, wastewater management is one of the most important environmental issues. The agreement with the Council of Europe Development Bank has been ratified, which has approved sufficient funds to cover everything we have prepared so far. We will soon start building 20 to 30 wastewater treatment plants. I believe that we will be able to see significant results next year – said Assistant Minister of Environmental Protection Filip Abramovic.
There are also good examples among local governments, so the construction of wastewater treatment plants is in the final phase in Leskovac, Vrbas, Raska, Krusevac, Vranje, Aleksinac and Uzice. Investment preparation is underway in Cacak, Jagodina, Kikinda, Kraljevo, Pirot, Pozarevac, Vrsac and Zajecar, while large cities do not have these plants. Representatives of the public sector also pointed out the problem of the lack of inspectors at the republic level.
– The role of inspection is important, but there are not enough inspectors to control a larger number of companies, and it is also difficult that there is no database of polluters. It is necessary to increase the number of inspectors, to improve them and to encourage cooperation between related services. Strengthening the efficiency of inspection supervision should be ensured through an adequate penal policy – said Olivera Kikanovic, inspector for environmental protection from the Network of Inspectors of Serbia. While some economic entities in our country make investments that are among the examples of best practice and regionally, others are not even sufficiently familiar with the obligations they have and which are yet to come in the function of water protection. Business entities are obliged to harmonize their emissions with the limit values by December 31, 2025 at the latest, Plus Online reports.
