EU may impose €16m fine on Greece for poor wastewater treatment

The European Commission may impose a fine of around €16m on Greece for poor treatment of wastewater discharged into the Gulf of Elefsina.

Greece is being referred to the EU Court of Justice for the second time.

In June 2004, the court ruled that Greece was violating the EU law by not adequately collecting and treating wastewater discharged into the Gulf of Elefsina.

The Commission has urged the court to slap fines on Greece for failing to address the problem even after 11 years.

It seeks to impose a lump sum fine from the date of the first judgement until the Member State has rectified the infringement or in the absence of compliance until the date of the second judgement, based on a daily amount multiplied by the number of days the violation continues.

The Commission is also seeking a daily fine of €34974, which would be paid from the date of the court ruling until Greece fully complies with EU law.

Currently, only 28% of the urban wastewater is collected and treated before being discharged into the Gulf of Elefsina, according to the Commission.

Commission said in a statement: "The collection rate has almost not improved since July 2012 when the wastewater treatment facility started operating."

The inadequacy of treatment systems in the area of Thriasio Pedio poses risks to human health, to inland waters and the marine environment.

Besides poor treatment of wastewater, Greece is also facing legal challenges from the Commission for failing to calculate the cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements for buildings.

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Image: Currently, only 28 % of the urban wastewater is collected and treated before being discharged into the Gulf of Elefsina. Photo: courtesy of Toa55 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.