Estonian response on the implementation of the conclusions and recommendations of the
Hamburg seminar on the prevention of chemical accidents and limitation of their impact on
transboundary waters
I.
WASTEWATERS
“The Parties to both Conventions should ensure that in the next five to ten years the
operators of hazardous activities in the catchment area of transboundary water bodies
implement measures to prevent accidentally contaminated wastewater finding its way directly or indirectly - into waters”.
A.
Legislation
Implemented in national regulation:
B.
yes
Provisions and guiding principles
Action plans:


“Criteria of emergency situations in catchment area of Narva river and informing
procedure about damages and emergency situations in the territory covered by agreement
between Republic of Estonia and Russian Federation on the protection and sustainable use
of transboundary watercourses”. Adopted on the fourth meeting of Estonian-Russian joint
commission on the protection and sustainable use of transboundary watercourses on 29-30
October 2001 in St Petersburg.
Obligation from Emergency Preparedness Act for companies to carry out risk assessment
and to elaborate plans for emergency situations.
Recommendations:
Others:
 Environmental policies of companies.
 Environmental management system complying with the ISO 14001:1996 requirements
along with further continuous improvement of the system.
 Monitoring of the environmental impact of the companies performance with a focus on
prevention of possible adverse effects resulting from the companies activities rather than
post facto elimination of the impact.
 Introduction of the best possible processes.
 Wastwater treatment plants.
 Water use permits (they also include monitoring requirements).
C.
Experience, lessons learned and obstacles (e.g. financial, institutional,
expertise)
 Huge investments for environmental protection measures.
 According to Estonian legislation, investments for environmental protection measures are
useful for companies, because then they have to pay less environmental pollution and
contamination charges.
 Companies can apply for EU funding for investments.
II.
FIRE PROTECTION
“The Parties to both Conventions should ensure that in the next five to ten years the
operators of hazardous activities in the catchment area of transboundary water bodies
implement measures to prevent fire fighting water finding its way - directly or indirectly into waters”.
A.
Legislation
Implemented in national regulation:
B.
yes
Provisions and guiding principles
Action plans:
 Fire protection plans for companies
Recommendations:
Others:
 Implementation of fire protection measures.
 Planning of territory must be accorded with rescue institution.
 Building project must be approved by rescue institution.
 Supervision of objects by rescue institutions.
 Fire protection measures must be in buildings
C.
Experience, lessons learned and obstacles (e.g. financial, institutional,
expertise)

Lack on technical equipment, lack of financial instruments
III.
TRANS-SHIPMENT
“The Parties to both Conventions should ensure that in the next five to ten years the
operators of hazardous activities in the catchment area of transboundary water bodies
implement measures to prevent substances hazardous to water accidentally finding their
way - directly or indirectly - into waters”.
A.
Legislation
Implemented in national regulation:
B.
yes
Provisions and guiding principles
Action plans:

Planning and risk assessment before building
 Recommendations:
 others:
 Environmental impact assessment
 Water protection measures
 Wastewater treatment plants
C.
Experience, lessons learned and obstacles (e.g. financial, institutional,
expertise)
IV.
FLOOD AREAS
“The Parties to both Conventions should ensure that in the next five to ten years the
operators of hazardous activities in the catchment area of transboundary water bodies
ensure that containers and parts of installations with large quantities of substances
hazardous to water are protected against buoyancy, avulsion and damage from floating
material”.
A.
Legislation
Implemented in national regulation:
B.
yes
Provisions and guiding principles
 Action plans:
 Recommendations:
 others:
 Planning of the territory
 Water protection measures for such containers (requirements for choosing the right place;
distances from buildings, wells, waterbodies etc)
C.
Experience, lessons learned and obstacles (e.g. financial, institutional,
expertise)
V.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Margus Korsjukov
Ministry of the Environment
Water Department
Narva mnt 7a
15172 Tallinn
Estonia
Phone: +372 626 2853
Fax: +372 626 2801
e-mail margus.korsjukov@envir.ee