The purpose of the formation of waste water collection areas

The purpose of the formation of waste water collection areas is to determine the areas where it is necessary to collect and clean waste water based on the density of the population, the amount of pollution load related thereto and the protection of groundwater in order to ensure the objectives of environmental protection. The obligation to designate waste water treatment areas arises from the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC, 21 May 1991). Waste water collection areas shall be approved by a directive of the Minister of the Environment. An application must be submitted for the designation or amendment of a waste water collection area. As of 14 December 2021, Estonia has 57 waste water collection areas with a pollution load of more than 2000 people equivalent (ie) and 472 waste water collection areas with a pollution load of less than 2000 ie.污水收集区设立的目的在于，基于人口密度、相关污染负荷量以及地下水保护状况，划定需收集并净化污水的区域，以达成环境保护目标。 划定污水处理区的义务源自《城市污水处理指令（Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive）》（91/271/EEC，1991年5月21日）。 污水收集区的设立需经环境部长发布指令予以批准。申请划定或变更污水收集区时，需提交正式申请材料。 截至2021年12月14日，爱沙尼亚共有57个污染负荷超过2000人口当量（people equivalent，缩写ie）的污水收集区，以及472个污染负荷低于2000人口当量的污水收集区。