ISPA INFORMATION SHEET Measure No 2002 SI 16 P PE 007 Measure title Wastewater Treatment in the Mislinja River Basin located in Mislinja and Dravograd in the Republic of Slovenia Authority responsible for implementation Name: D.Sc. Metka Gorišek, Councillor to the Government Address: Dunajska 48, 1000 Ljubljana, SLOVENIA E-mail: [email protected] Description The project concerns the construction of the wastewater treatment plants and the building and upgrading of the sewage systems in two municipalities, Mislinja and Dravograd, separated by a distance of more than 20 km, in the Mislinja river basin situated in the northern part of Slovenia near the Austrian border at Koroska region. Currently, the sewerage systems of the two municipalities are partly built and 3.600 inhabitants are connected (37% in Mislinja and 43% in Dravograd). The municipalities of Mislinja and Dravograd do not operate waste water treatment facilities and waste water discharges at several outlets untreated directly to the Mislinja River. The investment will also improve the quality of the Drava River which crosses the border between Slovenia and Croatia and, further downstream into Hungary and then falls into the Danube River. The project comprises: (i) for the municipality of Mislinja the construction of 15 km (14,982 km of gravity pipes + 0,07 km of pressure pipes) of sewerage network and a central waste water treatment plant with capacity of 2700 PE (2500 PE directly connected + 200 PE for effluent from septic tanks). One pumping station and three sewer overflows will be also built. (ii) for the municipality of Dravograd the construction of 5,3 km (4,453 km of gravity pipes + 0,844 km of pressure pipes) of sewerage network and a central waste water treatment plant with capacity of 6000 PE (5800 PE directly connected + 200 PE for effluent from septic tanks). Three pumping station and five sewer overflows will be also built Estimated completion date of the measure: 31 December 2007 Objectives The communities of Mislinja and Dravograd intend to achieve with this investment the following primary objectives: 1 – Adjustment and harmonisation with the state and EU regulations regarding collection, draining and treatment of waste water. – Improvement of cleanness of waters to at least 2nd quality grade, that would enable the return of rare aquatic species, which used to subsist in these waters – Improvement of the quality of the underground water. – Enabling the progress of urban environment by well regulated mains grid, linked with the wastewater treatment plant. – Insuring the quantity and quality of drinking water in the areas, where waters are protected and securing other ecologically sensitive areas Specific contribution of the project is the reduction of transboundary impact of pollution into water courses (Helsinki Convention, Danube Convention, DABLAS programme). Economic and social cost-benefit analysis A standard cost-benefit analysis has not been carried out in the case of this measure because there is no generally agreed methodology for quantifying and valuing the environmental benefits from wastewater treatment facilities. These benefits include: Achieving compliance with the Urban Waste Water Directive (91/271/ EC); protection of water reserves to ensure the good quality of drinking water in water protected areas, which are ecologically sensitive; reducing untreated discharges to the Sava river with an improvement of the health of the population; lowering the number of areas where faecal water sinks; the possibility of watering agricultural land with clean water from water streams. The main results of the financial analysis are as follow: The internal rate of the return with ISPA assistance is 4 % for Mislinja and 5.7% for Dravograd. Environmental impact assessment An Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) has been carried out for the two WWTP and sewage system in Mislinja and Dravograd. The EAR stated that no significant impacts to the environment of the sewer network and WWTP in Mislinja and Dravograd during its construction and operation are expected. The Slovenian Authorities presented a clear statement that no sensitive areas are affected by the project. For the sewer systems and the wastewater plant in the two municipalities the construction permits have been issued by the competent authority (Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy). Cost and assistance (in €) Total cost Private Non eligible Total eligible ISPA grant Grant Rate sector expenditure cost % contribution 5 997 469 - 1 433 215 4 564 254 2 282 127 50 2 3 .