13.07.2018.
The ceremony of signing the Agreement on EU co-financing of the project Remediation of location highly polluted by hazardous waste – pit Sovjak was held today in Viškovo. EU funding for the implementation of the project worth HRK 377 million was secured by the Ministry of Environment and Energy under the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion. “Today, I can say with certainty that we are witnessing one of the most important environmental protection moments in Croatia, remediation of the pit that has posed a threat to people’s lives for decades, and it has had a negative impact on the environment in this area. I am glad that through joint efforts we have made it possible to finally start resolving this issue”, saidminister Ćorić, adding that the Ministry secured 85% of funding for remediation from the Cohesion Fund, i.e. approximately HRK 320 million.
Remediation Implementing Authority is the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, which has already obtained, along with EU funding, all required documents and acts, and it has also provided the additional 15% of funding for the implementation of the project. “Today’s signing of the agreement is a result of many years of efforts and numerous activities that had to be taken“, explained Director of the Fund Dubravko Ponoš. “This is a very challenging task, the works will be carried out in the immediate vicinity of houses so in the process of choosing the contractor, we will insist on maximum compliance with that protection measures. Communication with the local population will be intensified and the people will be continually notified about the progress of remediation works. We are aware that they are the ones who will bear the greatest burden of remediation, and we wish to be available for any questions they might have.” said Ponoš.
Head of Municipality Viškovo Sanja Udović pointed out that the goal of remediation is, among other things, to eliminate the negative impact of hazardous waste on the population and the environment, and to improve the overall living conditions. “Remediation will not be simple or easy or pleasant, but it is our responsibility and obligation to make use of the option that was presented to us – to use EU funding so that once and for all we can permanently eliminate this environmental issue. This means that we will leave this important area to the future generations in good condition and suitable for some other purposes and activities, such as recreation and leisure, which has so far been unthinkable “.
Since 1956 until 1990 waste was dumped into pit Sovjak, and it is estimated that the pit currently holds up to 152.000 m3 of waste. Consequently, in the Waste Management Strategy of the Republic of Croatia, location Sovjak in Municipality Viškovo was recorded as the “hot spot”, meaning location highly polluted by hazardous waste. Together with experts from the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, the local population and representatives of their authorities have chosen the suitable remediation option. The remediation project includes the extraction of floating hydrocarbons, transportation and incineration outside Croatia, excavation of the sediment/tar, pre-treatment with lime, transportation and incineration outside Croatia. After this the pit is completely backfilled with the treated and inert material from Croatia, it will be closed with the top cover with the drainage system. With the completion of this project, until the end of 2023 the quantity of precipitation penetrating the pit will be reduced, thus contributing to the fulfilment of the goals established in the strategic and planning documents of the Republic of Croatia.
