📋 Tender Overview
The Water Service Steering Group, which met on Thursday, is looking for a solution to ensure high-quality public water supply and sewerage services at a reasonable price even after the European Union (EU) subsidies have expired.
"In two years' time, we must be clear on how to restructure the Estonian water management sector," said Kaupo Läänerand, Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs and the Aquatic Environment at the Ministry of Climate. "While in the last 20 years Estonian water management has been developed largely with the help of euro subsidies, then in the future we will have to cope independently," he explained.
Over a billion euros of investment will be needed in the next ten years alone, as ageing pipelines and cleaning equipment need to be replaced, and information technologies need to be developed. In addition, the need for investment will be increased by the tightening of environmental requirements in the coming years, with the help of which the pollution reaching water bodies will be further reduced.
According to Karin Kroon, Head of the Water Department of the Ministry of Climate, a large part of Estonia's current about 150 water companies are micro-enterprises that are not able to make the necessary investments at a reasonable price for water services or provide qualified workforce for the maintenance of automated equipment.
"In order for public water supply and sewerage to work smoothly in Estonia and be affordable for people in the future, small water companies need to think about joining, as recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)," kroon said, adding that according to a survey conducted in 2018, up to four water companies would be able to effectively manage and provide affordable and high-quality services in Estonia.
The task of the steering group, which was formed in June, is to prepare a national strategy for water services by autumn 2025, involving local authorities and water companies.
The steering group consists of representatives of the Ministry of Climate, the Competition Authority, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Environmental Investment Centre, the Health Board, the Estonian Association of Water Companies, the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities, the Estonian Society of Water Supply and Sewerage Engineers and the Estonian Owners' Confederation.
The strategic roadmap is assisted by a water reform consultant found through an international procurement, which is a consortium of Civitta Estonia, Environmental Solutions, Powerhouse, Triniti and international experts. The work is funded by the European Union's Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP).
