WRITTEN QUESTION E-2676/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Functioning of sewage treatment plants in Central Greece.
Date: 2000-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, Greece, competence of the Member States, water treatment

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/15

(2001/C 151 E/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2676/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Functioning of sewage treatment plants in Central Greece

for the region of Central Greece has
According to reports in the Greek press, the secretary-general
expressed fears concerning the functioning of sewage treatment plants in the area, saying that most of the
mechanical equipment that has not yet been brought into service has already depreciated badly. The main
problems concern Orchomenos, Arachova, Malesina, Atalanti, Kamena Vourla and Stylida, where plants
which were built seven or eight years ago have never been used, with the missing equipment being blamed
on thefts from storage.

1.

Can the Commission say whether these remarks are accurate?

2. What funds have been allocated for these plants, which operate partially or not at all?

3. Will the Commission examine whether criminal liability can be established for these incidents?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2000)

The Commission is unable to confirm the reports referred to in the question, some of which relate to
projects which have not been part-financed by the Structural Funds or which are regarded as being in the
construction phase. It has nevertheless written to the national authorities, requesting detailed information.

The Commission evaluates part-financed programmes, but does not systematically monitor how each type
of project part-financed by the Structural Funds operates under those programmes. Within the partnership
framework, it nevertheless intends to ask the Greek authorities to publish a report covering inter alia
municipal waste water treatment plants.

In the course of monitoring compliance with Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning
urban waste water treatment (1), the Commission is also currently checking that Member States met the
Directive(cid:146)s first deadline (31 December 1998) for collection and tertiary treatment (biological treatment
followed by nitrogen and/or phosphorus treatment) of liquid waste from agglomerations with a population
equivalent of more than 10 000 discharging into sensitive areas and their catchment areas.

According to the information which the Greek authorities submitted on 15 June 2000, that deadline
applied only to the town of Orchomenos referred to by the Honourable Member. The Commission is
currently processing the information received and at the beginning of 2001 will publish a status report
covering all the agglomerations concerned.

The Commission will in due course carry out checks in respect of the agglomerations which are subject to
the Directive(cid:146)s two other deadlines (31 December 2000 and 31 December 2005).

Lastly, it is for the Member State to take appropriate measures if criminal acts such as theft or vandalism
are committed against these works, or if public property is neglected or disregarded.

(1) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991.