Belarus to establish unified procedure for wastewater removal from private sector

Belarus will establish a unified procedure for the removal of wastewater from the private sector. This was reported at the webinar of the NCSPI to explain the norms of the Law "On drinking water supply and sanitation (sewage)" Deputy head of the Department of utilities and energy of the Ministry of housing and communal services Irina Salivonchik, writes BelTA.

An innovation of the law was the creation of uniform conditions for the provision of services for the transportation of wastewater by sewage transport from non-centralized drainage systems. The service is provided on a paid basis under the contract. The tariff is set by legal entities, individual entrepreneurs and persons carrying out independent professional activities in this field. “The appropriate procedure will be determined in a separate order. The document is currently undergoing legal examination by the Ministry of Justice. The draft resolution establishes uniform rules for the use of non-centralized drinking water supply and sanitation systems, as well as the procedure for the provision of wastewater transportation services on the territory of the relevant administrative-territorial unit. The document provides requirements for wastewater storage devices - rakes. In particular, it is planned to set a limit for their filling to comply with environmental legislation, said Irina Salivonchik.

According to the deputy head, there are about 800,000 households in Belarus that are connected to centralized drinking water supply systems, but do not have connection to centralized sewerage. They are equipped with autonomous household water disposal systems. Annually, more than 1.3 million cubic meters of wastewater are exported from such households by sewage transport, more than half of this volume is accounted for by individual entrepreneurs and individuals engaged in independent professional activities using about 600 units of equipment. “A significant difference in the cost of services and the lack of a single procedure for their provision cause justified complaints of citizens,” she added.

To form a unified approach, the draft resolution provides for an algorithm for the provision of wastewater disposal services. Local executive and administrative bodies will post on their websites information about performers providing such services in the relevant territory. Information will be formed on the basis of applications of contractors and data of water supply and sanitation organizations on concluded contracts for the provision of wastewater treatment services. Executors and tariffs established by them will be indicated. “Service shall be provided under a contract between the contractor and the citizen. The application can be submitted through the service 115, and pay for the service through the ERIP system, explained Irina Salivonchik.

To reduce the cost of the service, local authorities will be able to determine the optimal radius of wastewater transportation and the place of their reception. This measure will create equal conditions for legal entities and individuals providing the service, as well as reduce the shadow market. In addition, carriers will be required to discharge wastewater only at specialized stations. Local authorities and specialized organizations will be able to more accurately control the volume of wastewater generation and disposal in the private sector. The draft resolution was publicly discussed, as well as considered by the public-consultative and expert council under the MHKH. Learn how the reconstruction of the Minsk treatment plant