When it comes to connecting households to sewage systems, Thuringia was a long time behind in a nationwide comparison. In 2018, a program was launched to catch up. In 2023 there will be additional money for municipal waste disposal companies.
Erfurt (dpa/th) - Thuringia's municipal special-purpose associations will receive more money this year for investments in wastewater disposal. The amount available for this will be increased by eleven million euros, the Ministry of the Environment said on request in Erfurt. The aim is to reduce the burden on nature and the environment from technically outdated sewage treatment plants or direct discharge. For modernization projects and the connection of further households, the special-purpose associations have a total of around 31 million euros at their disposal this year.
"In times of climate crisis with long dry phases, our rivers urgently need relief," Environment Minister Bernhard Stengele (Greens) justified the decision. With the increase, 30 additional projects could be tackled. There will be a total of around 100 this year, including sewage treatment plants or canals. In terms of the number of projects funded in the wastewater sector, 2023 will be a record year.
The upgrading of the wastewater pond system in Neundorf in East Thuringia or sewer construction projects in Sömmerda, Neustadt/Orla or Bad Berka, among others, were given as examples.
In 2018, a waste water pact was concluded with the municipal waste disposal companies in Thuringia in order to improve the nationwide poorest level of connection to sewage treatment plants of 80 percent of households. Since then, according to the ministry, around 20 million euros in funding have been made available to connect municipalities to a central wastewater disposal system.
