Kauksi residents unable to connect to new sewer system
A dispute has emerged in Ida-Virumaa over a new sewer system in Kauksi, as the environmental permit limits discharge to the capacity needed for a spa center, leaving residents without connection.
A new sewer system in the Kauksi area of Ida-Virumaa has sparked a dispute. According to the water utility company, due to current restrictions on the discharge of treated wastewater, connecting residents will have to be postponed because the entire permitted volume is allocated to a new spa center.
The system was intended to serve not only the spa but also local residents. However, after the environmental permit was issued, it turned out that the allowed discharge volume is only sufficient for the spa complex. Margus Sinimäe, technical advisor at Emajõe Veevärk, said that if the design capacity of 200 cubic meters per day had been allowed, they would have no problems. Currently, they are forced to choose whom to connect, and that choice has already been made in favor of the developer.
Some Kauksi residents believe that the impact of treated wastewater discharge on the stream and Lake Peipus has not been sufficiently studied. Local resident Tiia Pukk expressed concern that her well is only 30 meters from the stream, and discharging wastewater would pose a serious problem. She noted that even a compost pile is prohibited near the stream, yet the municipality and the Environmental Department seem to think that water from the stream does not flow into Lake Peipus.
The Environmental Department's water division head Triin Mägi explained that the restriction is necessary to protect the Kauksi stream. The stream is insufficiently studied, so experts recommended initially allowing a smaller discharge volume and assessing the condition of water, plants, and organisms after the treatment plant starts operation. An increase in the allowed volume is possible from 2029 if monitoring shows that the plant's operation does not worsen the stream's condition.
