LATLIT

Summary Description of the Project:

Water is one of the most important environmental resources to be used in sustainable way. However, it has not been always like that. Therefore countries are facing water quality problems today in many locations. Waters do not respect any administrative borders – neither local nor national, but water system has natural hydrological boundaries. Lielupe is a transboundary river shared between Latvia and Lithuania and municipalities located in the basin have recognised importance of cooperating in this field.

Recently, the Lielupe river basin was assessed as moderate or in some locations as poor in terms of water quality. This might cause a risk to achieve the good water quality status as required by EU water policy. Therefore any action to reduce pollution is very important. Water resources are used for different needs and services, e.g., drinking, swimming, industry, farming.

Municipalities are in charge to ensure the appropriate quality of some of the related water services. Overall objective of the Project is to improve environmental status in the Lielupe river basin by implementing joint measures targeted to management of water resources in the border region.

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Water is one of the most important environmental resources to be used in sustainable way. However, it has not been always like that. Therefore countries are facing water quality problems today in many locations. Waters do not respect any administrative borders – neither local nor national, but water system has natural hydrological boundaries. Lielupe is a transboundary river shared between Latvia and Lithuania and municipalities located in the basin have recognised importance of cooperating in this field.

Recently, the Lielupe river basin was assessed as moderate or in some locations as poor in terms of water quality. This might cause a risk to achieve the good water quality status as required by EU water policy. Therefore any action to reduce pollution is very important. Water resources are used for different needs and services, e.g., drinking, swimming, industry, farming.

Municipalities are in charge to ensure the appropriate quality of some of the related water services. Overall objective of the Project is to improve environmental status in the Lielupe river basin by implementing joint measures targeted to management of water resources in the border region.

Project partnership is based on identified common problems to be dealt by municipalities. Municipalities (Bauska, Dobele, Rundale, Pakruojis) play key role in the project. However, due to lack of environmental knowledge and need to take environmental awareness actions, Biržai Regional Park and Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF) are involved to ensure achievement of objectives. Zemgale Planning Region is a coordinator and development visionary.

Main activities of the Project are:

on public water services: Study on the existing solutions and practices on the rain water, drinking and sewage water in rural settlements; Cross-border seminar on the existing practices on the water management solutions; criteria&technologies for investment envisaged for rural areas; planning and designing of improvements in water systems in the region;
on environmental awareness: Inventory on the river water quality by boating, sampling and express tests; Local meetings and campaigning with individual house/land owners to encourage undertaking the improvement measures; disseminating environmental information via web-site, calendar, maps; summer school on water management; Recommendations for amendments in river basin management plans;
on use of water & nature resources: cleaned river/lake banks; set up local recreation sites including such elements as river piers, tables, garbage bins, toilets, workshop on "Practical steps for clean-up actions ".

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Progress report:

Lead partner:

Zemgales plānošanas reģions

Katoļu 2 b, Jelgava, LV-3001 , Latvia
Tel.: +37163027549
Fax: +37163028454
Website: www.zemgale.lv

Contact person: Linda Šarķe-Fedjajeva
E-mail: zpr@zpr.gov.lv

Other partners