WRITTEN QUESTION P-1695/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 June 2001)

Subject: Conservation reservoirs on the Aegean islands

One of the biggest problems facing the Aegean islands, especially during the summer months, is drought, which has a severe economic and social impact. In view of

this situation, an EU-funded programme has been launched to build conservation reservoirs, which have been completed on some islands and are under construction on others. However, local press reports and complaints from members of the public claim that the construction is substandard and it is unclear whether environmental impact assessments or feasibility studies have been carried out.

Will the Commission say:

- whether the allegations that no environmental impact assessments or feasibility studies have been carried out in respect of these projects are true,

- whether studies of the subsoil rock have been carried out to determine the efficiency and watertightness of the reservoirs,

- whether there is any timetable for the construction of the reservoirs, and whether the projects are running to schedule?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2001)

The projects to which the Honourable Member refers (hill reservoirs and small dams on the Greek islands) have mostly been financed under the 1989-1993 and 1994-1999 Community support frameworks.

In the main they provide for both irrigation and drinking water. Collecting water in this way in Southern Europe allows the winter run-off, which is generally of good quality, to be exploited and permits economic and social development particularly on islands.

In 1998 the Commission had a private consultancy assess 26 projects of this type. Its conclusions were sent to the Greek authorities accompanied by recommendations for resolving the technical problems found in 11 of them.

During the period 1989-1993 Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(1) was not correctly applied in Greece. In the following years the situation was substantially improved, the Commission providing both assistance and impetus, and on the basis of the technical specifications environmental studies accompanied all the part-financed projects proposed. The often modest size and budget of these projects meant that no cost-benefit or feasibility study was required for part-financing from the Structural Funds. For the larger projects such studies were made.

Thus in general the need for and advisability of these projects was adequately demonstrated. However the hydrogeological studies and final plans did not in all cases satisfactorily assess rock and soil permeability and all construction parameters. This resulted in inadequate water collection owing to leakage through the rock. These studies and plans are the Member State's responsibility. The most commonly adopted solution has been to line the reservoir bottom with a watertight membrane. Most of the additional work of this type has been paid for from national funds with no Community contribution.

There is no general timetable for these projects. Each has followed its own timetable as indicated in the technical specifications and adjusted to reality on the ground. In the case of certain reservoirs and dams the downstream work (irrigation and drinking water networks) may fall within the 2000-2006 programming period.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997, OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.