OREANDA-NEWS. March 11, 2011. Technical condition of centralized sewerage systems will inspect working group submitted to the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, State Water Resources Agency, Security Service of Ukraine, Ministry of Internal Affairs and General Prosecutor of Ukraine. To create such a working group decided on the meeting in the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing chaired by Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister Viktor Tyhonov. The meeting discussed the organization of tasks assigned by the President of Ukraine to improve the technical condition of centralized sewage systems and stop dumping sewage into the waters of large rivers and the coast of Crimea.

"The bulk of the existing centralized wastewater of settlements built 30-50 years ago. The length of emergency sewerage system is growing and has reached 35% of their total length. Over 40% of equipment of wastewater systems requires replacement, 25% of sewage stations are working over 40 years," - Victor Tyhonov said. He stressed that it is necessary to elaborate National program for development and reconstruction of centralized wastewater of settlements of Ukraine, realization of which should solve the drainage problems.

The draft of the program`s concept, which would be calculated for the period 2012-2020 years will be approved in late May.

Adviser to the President of Ukraine, Valeriy Pustovoitenko, who also attended the meeting, suggested organizing the verification of treatment facilities in the Crimea next Wednesday and on its results to hold a meeting in Yalta. Valery Pustovoitenko also emphasized that it is necessary to require communal enterprises to repair and upgrade sewerage systems. "Most of this enterprises use water channels but don`t restore it. The tariff rates should contain the component, which will go to these needs"- Valery Pustovoitenko said.

Viktor Tyhonov noted that inspections would hold in all regions of Ukraine until April. In regions will create working groups to verify the technical condition of centralized wastewater systems.