The Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic is warning that the country’s water infrastructure has been neglected for years and bringing it back to a satisfactory condition would require between eight and ten billion euros.
Low levels of investment, heavy reliance on EU funds, more than 50 percent wear and tear of the audited water infrastructure, and losses of more than 50 million cubic metres of drinking water every year — these are some of the key findings of the Supreme Audit Office.
The Environment Ministry says water infrastructure is one of its flagship priorities.
In a statement, the ministry says the ten-billion-euro investment backlog left by previous governments cannot be resolved in just three years. It says it is directing more than 800 million euros from EU funds and the Environmental Fund towards reliable wastewater treatment and the construction of sewerage and water supply networks.
The Supreme Audit Office, however, says that out of 526 million euros already contracted, the Environment Ministry has actually spent just 82 million. Local governments are also warning about funding problems. The Association of Towns and Communities of Slovakia considers the Supreme Audit Office’s estimate of the investment backlog realistic.
István Pomichal, chairman of the association’s agriculture and rural development section, notes stable multi-year funding is needed to build new networks, along with separate funding to renovate existing infrastructure and accessible professional support for smaller municipalities.
Water infrastructure expert Ivan Mrnčo says the situation could also be improved by increasing water and wastewater charges. According to him, it is now high time to address ageing water supply networks, which lose millions of cubic metres of drinking water every year.
The Supreme Audit Office is also proposing the appointment of a government commissioner for the water sector, as well as the introduction of a so-called golden share for the state. The government is expected to discuss the audit report this Wednesday.
Source: STVR
