WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309/01

by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Position regarding the water-treatment plants in Molina de Segura (Murcia, Spain)

According to recent press reports, the Commission considers the municipality of Molina de Segura (Murcia, Spain) to have one of the worst records where sewage treatment is concerned.

At present Molina de Segura has two water-treatment plants, a lagooning plant and a standard plant. However, there is a problem because the industries which produce the most pollution, in particular the canning industries, discharge their effluents in Molina, which consequently reach the water-treatment plants without undergoing any form of pretreatment, whereas the plants are designed only for municipal sewage and not industrial effluents.

The body that manages the area's waters (Confederacíon Hidrográfica del Segura) has to date brought nine actions in all against the companies on account of their irresponsible behaviour, but the companies are appealing and the Molina de Segura municipal authorities are, in one way or another, concealing their misdeeds and protecting them.

In the light of the foregoing:

1. Can the Commission supply further information?

2. Will the Commission continue to countenance this situation by virtue of the new water-treatment plant which it is to finance, bearing in mind that the plants in question cannot cope with industrial effluents?

Furthermore, is true, as has been asserted, that the projected new plant will be financed with the aid of a substantial European contribution?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 2001)

The Commission's Decision of 7 March 2001(1) on sewerage and waste water treatment in the Segura catchment area relates primarily to construction of a new urban waste water treatment plant on the territory of the commune of Molina de Segura at a total cost of 19 834 000. The Cohesion Fund's contribution is 80 %, i.e. 15 867 200.

The new plant will resolve the problems raised by the Honourable Member, notably discharge of untreated waste water into the River Segura and the need for better treatment levels in that commune. It will use both biological and tertiary agents. The tariffs for its use will be proportionate to the pollution caused by users, notably the area's companies.

The urban waste water Directive(2) requires agglomerations greater in size than 15 000 population equivalent (p.e.)(3) to have collecting systems installed and at least secondary waste water treatment by 31 December 2000. Under its Article 13(1) biodegradable industrial waste water from plants with a p.e. bigger than 4 000 in certain sectors, including the meat industry, must before discharge to receiving waters comply with the prior regulations or specific authorisations of the Member State.

Competent authorities are required (Article 15 of the Directive) to monitor waters receiving discharges from urban waste water treatment plants or direct discharges as indicated in Article 13.

(1) Decision 2000 ES 16 C PE 005.

(2) Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste water treatment (OJ L 135, 30.5.1991).

(3) One population equivalent means the organic biodegradable load having a five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) of 60 g per day.