Freshwater - Outlook 2020 (Latvia)
Priority areas in relation to water quality and resources, as set out in the Environmental Policy Strategy 2009–15 are:
- eutrophication of inland surface water (rivers and lakes) and marine water, particularly in the southern part of the Gulf of Riga
- transboundary pollution in international river catchment basin
- unsustainable water use due to an inadequate and outdated water supply network.
In accordance with national guidelines and Water Framework Directive river basin management plans, the indicators used to characterise the effectiveness of national environmental policy will be:
- a decrease in water consumption (per capita annually) from 85 m3 to to 80 m3
- a decrease in surface water abstraction from 104 million m3 to 99 million m3
- a decrease in groundwater abstraction from 108 million m3 to 103 million m3
- up to 79 % of water bodies rated as high and good quality (for inland surface waters)
- an increase in the proportion of the population provided with centralised waste water collection and treatment services (up to 62 % of the total population).
However, once available, the results should be carefully analysed. At present, due to the complicated economical and financial situation, it is difficult to reliably forecast future trends in water quality and resources. There is no clear picture of how the situation will be after structural changes affecting the main driving forces have made an impact on the above environmental issues.
For references, please go to www.eea.europa.eu/soer or scan the QR code.
This briefing is part of the EEA's report The European Environment - State and Outlook 2015. The EEA is an official agency of the EU, tasked with providing information on Europe’s environment.
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