Saving the Sava

Celje, with a population of 50 000 inhabitants, is the largest town on the estuary of the river Savinja, a tributary of the river Sava. At present, most households in the town are connected to the regional sewage system, which extends to approximately 277 km. Celje currently produces around 4 500 000 cubic meters of wastewater every year, which is discharged, untreated into the Savinja. However, with support from ISPA, the municipality of Celje is currently investing in a major new water management programme, which includes the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility, the upgrading of primary and secondary collectors, and the upgrading of the water supply network. The programme is designed to reduce the impact of effluent discharges into the Savinja and to ensure that the city can meet the requirements of the EU Urban Wastewater Directive and the National Environmental Action Programme. The upgrading of the primary collector is a pre-condition for construction of the central wastewater treatment plant and this work is being financed from the municipality’s own funding sources. ISPA funding is supporting the construction of the central wastewater treatment plant and 3.6 km of primary collector. The new wastewater treatment plant will refine household, pre-treated industrial, hospital and other effluents. It will facilitate tertiary treatment, which is necessary to ensure the protection of the river Sava, which is designated as a potentially sensitive area. The plant is located on the left bank of the river Savinja, approximately 4 km from the city of Celje, and it covers an area of 20 400 square meters. The site of the new wastewater treatment plant was selected in 1993, and in 1998 the municipality of Celje conducted a study of its suitability, which proved acceptable in terms of the economic, sociological and environmental aspects. Construction of the new plant is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the end of 2003.