Water Pollution abatement programme, The Czech republic Pollution abatement analysis and strengthening of water resources management, Odra River Catchment, phase II

Abstract

Odra river is extremely polluted by organic matter, nitrates, ammonia, phosphorus, bacteria, particles, heavy metals and other micro pollutants from municipalities, industries and agriculture. The poor water quality severely affects the ecology and represents a risk to human health. The water has a very limited value of use. This report presents an abatement programme with both technical and accompanying measures. In order to identify the major polluters several multi criteria analysis have been developed, discussed and evaluated. Technical measures for 23 "Hot spots" are proposed and ranked according to the cost/benefit ratio. Measures for agriculture have been based on previous work. The proposed abatement programme gives a significant reduction of the total pollution discharges in the region, and improves both local and regional water quality. The abatement programme will also contribute to the Czech Government's obligations to reduce the pollution to the Baltic Sea. Accompanying measures (policy, administrative including legal and economic measures) have been addressed in detail. The water and environmental management systems has undergone tremendous changes since the "Velvet Revoution" and there is no longer time for major restructuring. The recommendations which are made in this report regarding accompanying measures are designed to make the environmental management function, and are at this stage mostly for studies and experimental project. The report has been prepared jointly by Czech and Norwegian Scientists.