2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
The Russian Federation
Economics (2003)
GDP per capita US$2,610
GDP per capita (PPP) US$8,950
GDP in Agriculture 5%
GDP in Industry 34%
GDP in Services 61%
Legislation and its enforcement
The fundamental law on the Protection of the Natural Environment was enacted in 1991. The law was
intended as setting a foundation for more specialised environmental acts, but the post 1993
constitution has limited its worth. Preparation of the Law on the Protection of the Environment in the
Russian Federation is currently being considered, along with the concept of the transition of Russia to
the model of sustainable development. The complexity of the system of environmental responsibilities
of the various state agencies is a further problem. The Plan of Action of the Government of the
Russian Federation for Environmental Protection and Resource Management for 1996-1997 has been
approved, and interested ministries and agencies and local government bodies are taking part in its
implementation.
Population
2003 (million) 143.4
2015 (million) 134.5
Urbanisation in 2003 73%
Urbanisation by 2015 74%
In urban agglomerations, 2015 21%
Water usage
Towns and villages with some form of water or sewerage system, 2002
Water network Sewerage
Towns 1,085 99% 1,041 96%
Villages 1,727 92% 1,290 73%
The total water intake from renewable water resources throughout the Russian Federation was 90km³
in 2002, as compared to 96km³ in 1995. The average water supply for drinking water and domestic
needs was 248 litres per inhabitant per day. Owing to the poor quality of water from these sources
(and a number of other reasons), the country's existing system of drinking water supply is in a critical
situation. About 10% of groundwater intakes have reported exhaustion of water supplies. More than
30% of piped water from surface sources is not treated, despite significant resource contamination,
affecting 68% of urban and 10% of rural consumers. 25% of water withdrawal facilities are not
surrounded by protection zones, while the other facilities are typically non-compliant. In 2001, 40% of
drinking water was of potable quality and 30% of domestic effluents were treated.
Urban Data
Served by piped water 81%
Access to sewerage 87%
With sewage treatment 20%
Sewerage and sewage treatment
In 2002, the capacity of the wastewater treatment plants was 56.1 million m 3 per day, which is 3%
above the 1995 level. 14,000 million m 3 of municipal wastewater was collected by the urban
sewerage system in 2002, 86.4% of the total. Of this, 28% was treated. That year, 60% of
wastewater treatment works were operating above capacity and 38% need rehabilitation.
169 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006