Innovations of the Law “On drinking water supply and sanitation” explained in the MHKH

The innovations of the Law “On Drinking Water Supply and Wastewater (Sewage)”, which came into force on September 18, were explained at the webinar of the NCSPI by Deputy Head of the Department of Utilities and Energy of the Ministry of Housing and Utilities Irina Salivonchik. Belta writes about it.

The new law consolidates relations in the field of water disposal, which were previously regulated by secondary legislation. The goal is to comprehensively regulate the spheres of drinking water supply and sanitation, ensure their further development, solve existing problems and establish additional mechanisms to ensure the proper quality of services. The law empowers the Council of Ministers to establish the procedure for the use of non-centralized drinking water supply and sanitation systems, the procedure for the provision of services for the transportation of wastewater by sewage transport, the procedure for the development and approval of drinking water supply and sanitation schemes, the procedure for conducting an inventory of drinking water supply systems, as well as the standard form of a contract for the provision of services for the operation of structures and devices built at the expense of the own funds of legal entities and individuals.

The IWC is entitled to general coordination of the activities of organizations engaged in water supply and sanitation, provision of services, ensuring the effective functioning and development of drinking systems. The Office also has the right to organize training and certification of managers and specialists of organizations providing relevant services. In addition, the IWC may establish the procedure for calculating water losses in centralized systems, estimating technological water consumption, as well as conducting scheduled preventive repairs of water supply and sanitation systems.

Local executive and administrative bodies will determine the organizations responsible for water supply and sanitation in the relevant territory, organize the provision of these services and take measures when they are terminated or limited. “This applies to emergencies, damage and disruption of systems. Local authorities should also take measures to ensure the safety and reliability of systems, their development and attracting investment for the creation and operation of systems, said Irina Salivonchik.

Water supply and sanitation organizations are obliged to ensure the proper operation of their systems, monitor the compliance of drinking water with safety standards, provide consumers with complete and reliable information, ensure the uninterrupted supply of water and wastewater, take measures to eliminate emergencies, damage and disruption of centralized networks, restore the functioning of systems, immediately inform local authorities about the situations that have arisen and eliminate the consequences. Organizations operating the housing stock should ensure the operation of their structures and devices, keep records of drinking water consumed and carry out technical and organizational measures aimed at ensuring the functioning of structures and devices, maintaining and restoring the proper sanitary state of residential buildings and local areas. They are also obliged to prevent unauthorized connection to the systems and report such cases to water supply and sanitation organizations.

Consumers and subscribers have the right to supply drinking water and wastewater in accordance with the law and the concluded contract. They can also receive complete and reliable information in the field of water supply and sanitation, and, if necessary, require recalculation of fees for services provided. At the same time, consumers are obliged to comply with the terms of the contract, comply with the rules for using centralized systems and ensure the operation of facilities and devices belonging to them in the absence of a concluded contract with the organization, maintain them in technically sound condition. Consumers must ensure that the amount of drinking water obtained from a centralized system is recorded and that unhindered access to their facilities is ensured to repair damage. In addition, it is impossible to prevent the accession of other legal entities and individuals to structures and devices owned, if the organization of water supply and sanitation has established the technical possibility of such connection.

“The law provides for the possibility of drilling temporary wells to deal promptly with water supply issues in rural settlements. This measure can be applied in the event of failure of a single well in the absence of a backup source. In Belarus, about 3 thousand settlements receive centralized water supply from one well. In 460 of them, operating wells are operating at the limit of operational capabilities. Now the development of permits can take up to six months. The new norm will reduce the time for processing documents and drilling wells, as well as quickly restore water supply in the village, explained Irina Salivonchik.

The law also clarifies the requirements for information in the field of drinking water supply and sanitation. Local authorities and water supply and sanitation organizations should inform citizens about the compliance of drinking water with safety standards, the procedure for receiving wastewater, ways to save resources, payment rules, construction prospects and the procedure for connecting to centralized systems. This information is posted in the media, on official websites and other publicly available means within 30 working days from the date of receipt or change of information. Information on the inconsistency of drinking water standards, the termination or restriction of its supply, as well as violations of centralized water disposal systems, which led to interruptions in the reception of wastewater, should be brought to citizens immediately within a day. Such information should include the time limit for eliminating violations, decisions taken, the procedure for organizing the reception of wastewater, recommended actions and precautions. If necessary, the methods of additional preparation of drinking water or the place and time of its release are also indicated.

The law establishes restrictions on economic and other activities within the zones of sanitary protection of underground sources of drinking water supply of centralized systems, regardless of the degree of protection of groundwater. The new requirements will apply to facilities located after the entry into force of the law, as well as to cases of reconstruction, modernization, change of functional purpose and development of urban planning documentation. Belarus to establish unified procedure for wastewater removal from private sector