WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2677/96 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Illegal dumping of waste into Lake Koroneia
Date: 1996-10-15
Institutions: European Parliament, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: EU financing, Greece, action for failure to fulfil an obligation, application of EU law, lake, waste disposal, water pollution, water treatment













EUR-Lex - 91996E2677 - EN






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91996E2677

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2677/96 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Illegal dumping of waste into Lake Koroneia  


Official Journal C 072 , 07/03/1997 P. 0072 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2677/96 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (15 October 1996)Subject: Illegal dumping of waste into Lake KoroneiaLake Koroneia in Langadha is being used as an illegal dump for industrial waste from the whole region of Langadha. This is having a particularly devastating effect on the commune of Kavallarion.In view of:(a) the uncontrolled dumping and disposal of waste by local factories in the Langadha region, in defiance of Community legislation;(b) the existence of urban waste sewage networks operating without biological purification facilities;(c) the allegations and strong protests made by inhabitants of the commune of Kavallarion, the municipal council and local environmental protection associations;(d) the failure to take any measures whatsoever to deal with this situation;(e) the fact that this dumping is having a devastating effect on the environment and public health (the water of the Lake is very saline and alkaline, making it unsuitable for any purpose whatsoever;Will the Commission say:1. What measures it has taken to ensure that the Greek authorities properly implement Community legislation;2. How it will view a request by the commune of Kavallarion for the construction of a biological purification plant; and3. How it intends to respond if violations of Community law are ascertained?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (22 November 1996)1. The Commission has been informed of the environmental problems affecting Lake Koroneia through a complaint it has received. In the course of its examination of the matter, the Commission has approached the Greek authorities and requested all the relevant information. Within the limits of the powers attributed to it under the EC treaty, the Commission will ensure that Community environment law is properly applied in this case.2. As for cofinancing a waste water treatment plant in the municipality of Kavallariou, should the Greek authorities make such a request, the Commission would take account of the amount of funding available and of the relative priority of the project on the basis of the criteria laid down in Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste water treatment ((OJ L 135, 30.5.1991. )) and of the limits laid down in the other water protection Directives. For instance, it would take into consideration the number of inhabitants, the type of pollutants in the waste water and the environmental sensitivity of the lake.3. If the Commission finds that the Community rules in this area have been infringed it will, if necessary, institute infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the Treaty.