SOME THOUGHTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WATER-QUALITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN-EUROPE

The countries of Central and Eastern Europe (GEE) continue their effor ts to address environmental problems, including water quality manageme nt, in the context of a transition from the centrally planned to marke t economies. Their economic recovery and further development is the mo st pressing and central goal since water quality deterioration is noth ing but one of the many consequences of the lack of economic progress. Since international assistance to the CEE countries is limited, an ea rly action should be taken to support the establishment of national fi nancial mechanisms and incentives. To improve water quality, the effic iency of water, energy and material use must be increased in the CEE c ountries; reducing water use is an imperative. Industrial wastewater m anagement strategy shall distinguish between the old and new enterpris es. The non-point pollution sources of agricultural character should l argely be controlled by preventive measures, applied jointly by land, water and agricultural specialists and managers. Transformation of ind ustry and agriculture and water quality improvements must be undertake n together.