Lithuania

; The Problem
: Prior to the project, the villages situated in the lower reaches of the rivers Nemunas and Minija had no wastewater treatment facilities. Wastewater was discharged into catch pits from which they would get into the soil and directly into the rivers. The rapidly increasing tourist flow posed a threat to the sensitive ecosystem of the Nemunas delta. The lack of water treatment plants slowed down the development of tourism in the village of Minge, frequented by small boats.

; Goals and Objectives
: The project aimed to reduce pollution in the lower Minija by installing a demonstrative ecological wastewater treatment plant in the village of Minge that would ensure effective and inexpensive treatment of wastewater and remove barriers to the development of sustainable tourism in Minge.

; Activities and Results
: Technical documentation for the wastewater treatment plant was prepared and approved and the plant itself was constructed: pipelines were laid, the residents installed wells and septic tanks, a pumping station was built and a sand and reed filter was installed on an eight-are plot. The plant, which has a capacity of 14.5m3 per day, is able to serve 60 residents. In an effort to cut construction costs local building materials were used as much as possible. An information and education programme for the local community was developed and implemented, including discussions and information publications and boards.

; Innovation
: The project was implemented in Minge village, where the level of groundwater is low and the River Minija flows nearby. The innovative aspect of this project was that the sand and reed filter had to be raised above the ground by using a screen made from local clay and polyethylene. Wastewater from the septic tanks is transported to the filter by efficient wastewater pumps (0.6kW capacity). The cost of the equipment and its operation were very low.

; Impact
: The discharge of wastewater into the Minija catchment in the lower reaches of the river was reduced, five sources of pollution were eliminated and pollution was prevented in a 60ha area. Unfortunately, there was no monitoring of the water quality, which makes an accurate assessment of the reduction in the pollution impossible. The wastewater treatment plant has enabled farmers to develop tourism services. Families get additional income from rural and water tourism. The socio-economic situation in the village is improving. The project created conditions to get a Phare 2000 grant for a water tourism development project, used for the construction of a tourist information centre and a pier for yachts and cutters. Incoming ships can discharge their waste into the wastewater plant in the village.

Lessons Learned

TYPE LESSONS HERE