The European Union (EU) will grant Estonia 25 million euros for the replacement of existing rainwater drainage systems, and some regions will receive an additional 14 million euros, writes ERR News.
Existing Estonian rainwater collection systems are designed based on previous climatic conditions. Environment Ministry adviser Olav Ojala said that climate change projections show that extreme and intense rains will occur more often in the future.
The flow of water in rainwater collection systems is often so intense that they overflow, causing problems in streets and parking lots. Ojala pointed out that there is an urgent need to restore systems that no longer fulfill their function.
Coastal regions and riverside areas, as well as urban areas, where compacted soil is less able to absorb water, are at greatest risk. This means that
it is also necessary to create natural drainage systems such as ditches and infiltration strips.
In addition, it is also necessary to separate the systems so that rainwater and sewage do not flow through the same pipes because the combined systems cannot cope with a rapid increase in the volume of water. Ojala added that rainwater mixing with sewage and then entering the environment also poses a risk of pollution.
Estonian Waterworks Association (EVEL) Executive Director Raili Kärmas pointed out that
natural water collection systems reduce costs, which also results in the cheaper water supply.
He said that during drought years, rainwater collection technologies based on natural systems can be used to use rainwater, which is economically beneficial and good for the environment.
However, both Kärmas and Ojala agree that EU support will not be enough to improve stormwater systems throughout Estonia. Kärmas said that 12.5 million will be needed in Tartu alone, and the costs will definitely be higher in Tallinn. The executive director of EVEL added that it is impossible to make improvements everywhere, and it is important to allocate funds for this every year.