WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2441/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Disposal of sludge from the Psyttaleia sewage treatment plant
Date: 1998-07-30
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: European Commission, Peloponnese, application of EU law, directive (EU), exchange of information, industrial waste, marine pollution, wastewater, water treatment

5.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 31/145

(1999/C 31/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2441/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Disposal of sludge from the Psyttaleia sewage treatment plant

(30 July 1998)

Sludge from the Psyttaleia sewage treatment plant is provisionally being transported to the Ano Liosia waste tip,
until a special site can be set up to bury it in accordance with the relevant health regulations. Owing to
suspensions in the operation of the waste tip over the last few years, the sludge has been dumped at sea, a practice
which creates an unbearable and suffocating atmosphere in the region of Perama; in addition the Psyttaleia plant
is not hidden from view by any (cid:145)optical barrier(cid:146).

What measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the disposal of the sludge from the above plant
complies with Directive 91/271/EEC (1) concerning urban waste water treatment, and in particular Article 14
thereof?

(1) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991, p. 40.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 1998)

Article 14(2) of Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment, as
amended by Commission Directive 98/15/EC (1) of 27 February 1998, requires the competent authorities or
appropriate bodies in the Member States to ensure that, before 31 December 1998, the disposal of sludge from
urban waste water treatment plants is subject to general rules or registration or authorisation.

Paragraph 3 of that Article requires Member States to ensure that, by 31 December 1998, the disposal of sludge to
surface waters is phased out.

From the start of 1999, the Commission will ask for the necessary information on the disposal of sludge from
urban waste water treatment plants, including the plant located on the island of Psyttalia which treats waste water
from the Athens urban area. After examining the information received, the Commission will, if necessary, initiate
infringement proceedings against any Member States which have failed to comply with the abovementioned
Community legislation.

(1) OJ L 67, 7.3.1998.

(1999/C 31/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2478/98

by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission

(23 July 1998)

Subject: Proceedings against France for infringement of Community tax legislation

Will the Commission provide a list of the subject areas and substance of proceedings instituted against France for
infringement of Community rules laying down the basic principles of a common taxation system?

(1999/C 31/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2505/98

by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Progress of actions brought against France for violations of Community environmental law

In view of the importance of environmental considerations, would the Commission list and state the content of
the actions initiated against France for failure to comply with Community legislation in the area of the
environment?