2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

LATVIA PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
Latvia
Water resources and distribution
More than 90% of the population in Riga, 54% in Liepaja and more than 80% in other cities and towns
are served by mains water. In smaller towns, the figure is typically 50%. In 1995, the daily water
supply per capita in the cities of Latvia was as follows: 339L in Riga, 331L in Ventspils, 223L in
Daugavpils, and 139L in Liepaja. Total losses in water supply systems were estimated at 12% of
water abstraction in 2000, half of the level seen in the mid 1990s. 60% of losses are in Riga. While
there continue to be problems with drinking water quality in smaller towns, there has been a
significant improvement in Riga.
% samples failing Chemical Bacterial
standards 1999 2000 1999 2000
Latvia 54% 58% 9% 7%
Riga 2% 5% 0% 0%
Sewerage and sewage treatment
The ‘800+’ programme began in Latvia in 1995, aiming to improve water supply and wastewater
treatment in small towns and rural areas, through the refurbishment and construction of 800 sewage
treatment works by 2010. By 2003, 70% of urban wastewater was treated: 33% to tertiary, 35% to
secondary and 2% to primary standard. Current capital spending is coming through the following
sources:
€million 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008*
European Union funding 16.674 21.090 103.437 85.379 59.228
State budget 0.749 11.343 7.391 N/A 2.870
Own funds 9.231 12.294 10.646 15.225 11.057
Total 26.654 44.726 121.474 100.604 73.155
* forecast figures
Inland water quality
Latvian rivers have moderate levels of organic pollution and nutrients, quite high concentrations of
oxygen, and rich flora and fauna. Water quality is considered to be quite good in 80% of Latvian
rivers. The proportion of wastewater that is treated to EU compliant standards has increased from 44-
46% in 1991 & 1992, to 81% by 2000, with a significant improvement noted since 1998. Surveys
have been carried out in smaller rivers, showing an improved biological water quality:
1993-96 1998-00
Good (1-3) 45% 88%
Quite good (4) 48% 9%
Not good (5-6) 8% 3%
Privatisation prospects
In 1996, the EBRD provided €18 million out of a €97 million loan package for the upgrading and
expansion of water and sewage treatment works serving Riga. As with Estonia and Lithuania, the
EBRD’s financing was arranged as a US$90 million loan portfolio for supporting projects to be carried
out by Suez’s Degrémont. There are no current plans for the privatisation of Riga’s water and
sewerage services, but this may change in the medium term.
MAJOR CITIES
Population 2000 2015 Status
Riga 761,000 761,000 PSP under consideration
Source:
Latvian Environment Agency (2002) Environmental Indicators in Latvia 2002, Riga, Latvia
133 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006