Environmental Board Restricts Kauksi Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity to One-Third

Alutaguse Municipality in Ida-Virumaa has entered a serious conflict with the Environmental Board after the Kauksi wastewater treatment plant was granted a water use permit for only one-third of its full capacity. Liina Talistu, head of the municipality's planning and development service, believes the board should assess the broader benefit of building a public water supply system for the entire region.

Alutaguse Municipality in Ida-Virumaa has become embroiled in a sharp dispute with the Environmental Board over the limited water use permit issued to the Kauksi wastewater treatment plant. The board granted the facility permission to operate at only one-third of its full capacity, a serious setback for the local government.

Liina Talistu, head of the municipality's planning and development service, makes no secret of her disappointment. "The Environmental Board could take a broader view of the benefits that building a public water supply system would bring to the entire region. Naturally, no one wants to damage Kauksi Stream, and we are relying on expert assessments," she said.

The limited permit means that development of the Kauksi area's public water supply and sewerage system will remain far more modest than expected. This affects both the quality of life for local residents and the broader development prospects of the region.

The municipality emphasizes that its decisions are based on expert assessments and maintains that operating the treatment plant at full capacity would not harm the environmental condition of Kauksi Stream in an unacceptable way. The Environmental Board, however, appears to disagree, deeming stricter restrictions necessary to protect the aquatic environment.