Water and Environment Protection Development in Kaunas and its Progress Perspectives

Abstract

At the beginning of the 16th century the wealthy residents of Kaunas already started thinking of centralised water supply network construction. In the middle of the 16th century three clean water wells were found in Žaliakalnis district, between Pakalnės and Mackevičiaus streets and the wells were used as a basis for the construction of water supply network of wooden pipes. A waste water network above the ground was constructed in Kaunas in parallel with the wooden water supply network. However, the wooden network was destroyed by wars, fires and time. After the declaration of independence in 1918 and later when Kaunas became the temporary capital of the Republic of Lithuania, the need for centralised water supply and waste water networks emerged. In 1924 the construction of waste water network was started. It was based on the design prepared by company “David Grove” from Berlin and in 1928 the water supply network construction was commenced. During the Soviet period (1944-1990) Kaunas became a large industrial, research and cultural centre. A lot of water handling facilities and networks were constructed, however, the town was short of water during some periods. Kaunas was one of a few towns in Europe which had no waste water treatment plants (WWTP). Untreated waste water was discharged to the Nėris and Nemunas rivers through 13 outlets. No beaches were functioning in Kaunas, water sports and tourism were not developed. Discussions on the site for waste water treatment plant construction lasted for 20 years. Eventually in 1989 a visit of specialists to Stockholm was arranged by the water supply-waste water system managing staff. Swedish specialists assisted in making decision on WWTP site and in the plant design and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania solved the financing issues. After the restoration of independence of Lithuania the first task for the country and town leaders was to start the construction of WWTP. The construction was started in 1992 and finished on in 1999. WWTP cost is 235 MLTL. In 1992 the town started implementing the Water and Environment Project. The first stage of the project covered the modernization of four well-fields, 11 booster stations, 52 third lift drinking water stations, 56 waste water pumping stations by using funds from different European, Lithuanian and the enterprise “Kauno vandenys” financing sources. The energy, IT, transport, water metering systems as well as networks services of the company were modernized too. 10.93 MLTL from different funds were allocated to serve this purpose. The first stage of Water and Environment Project was accomplished in 2002. In 2005 the second stage of Water and Environment Pro ject was started in UAB “Kauno vandenys”. During this stage the company will construct a plant for iron and manganese removal in Petrašiūnai well-field. Starting with the year of 2005 all the drinking water supplied by the company will be of good and very good quality. The start of WWTP extension with biological treatment is planned for 2005. After the implementation of above mentioned WWTP extension the company will be exempted from pollution tax. At the 2nd stage the networks extension which will enable to increase supplied water amounts, improve sanitarian conditions in the suburbs is planned. The cost of Water and Environment Project, stage II is estimated at 37.44 MEuros. The main problem the company encounters is water payments. The consumers pay for water as shown by readings of individual water meters installed in the flats and not by bulk water meter readings. The difference between the bulk meters and individual meters readings makes 20-30% loss for the company (due to unaccounted for, consumed water). Every month the company incurs 672 thousand LTL losses. The situation should be tackled by the Government of the Republic as soon as possible.