Paddling enforceable approaches upstream to EU standards : Water quality management and policy implementation in Central and Eastern Europe

• Published in: Water Science & Technology Vol. 40; no. 10; pp. 73 - 79
• Main Authors: SMITH, M. G, DE MARCH, C, JOLMA, A
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Pergamon Press 1999; IWA Publishing
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Continental surface waters; Cost analysis; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Economics; Enforcement; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental impact; Environmental policy; Environmental quality; Europe; Exact sciences and technology; Freshwater; Industrialization; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Quality management; Rivers; System effectiveness; Systems analysis; Water quality; Water quality management; Water quality standards; Water treatment and pollution; Eastern Europe; Central Europe; Europe; Europe, East; Europe, Central; USA; Water pollution; Legislation; Water resource management; Water quality
• ISBN: 008043696X; 9780080436968
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00671-X

Rivers in Central and Eastern Europe are highly polluted as a result of over-industrialization, resource intensive production processes and lax environmental enforcement. At the beginning of the economic transition, great optimism abounded within the region that environmental problems would be dealt with early and that the West would offer significant financial help. It is now clear that achieving significant improvement in environmental quality will require many years and will be largely financed from internal resources. Moreover, the region's goal of joining the European Union dominates the environmental policy agenda. Drawing upon the results of a three year study conducted at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), cost-effective strategies for eventually achieving this goal are identified. The paper discusses recommendations for implementing these strategies within the evolving political and economic environment of Central and Eastern Europe.