Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting devoted to the provision of water resources and improving efficiency in water use, developing domestic waterways and the construction of river and canal vessels
15 July 2008
В.В.Путин провел совещание на тему О повышении эффективности и обеспечении комплексного использования водных ресурсов, развитии внутренних водных путей и строительстве судов для их обслуживания.
15.07.2008
Vladimir Putin's opening address:
Good afternoon, colleagues,
We have gathered here on purpose. This waterworks facility is the first one built in Russia for the past twenty years, though it may not make such a huge impression. We have been constructing it for five years, spending over 3 billion roubles ($127.7 million). This is a worthy and up-to-date installation that boasts a modern look and advanced technologies. This is exactly what we need, and we will talk about it in more detail now.
Russia has a vast fleet of hydro-technical facilities, a very good resource that is still scarcely used.
During the meeting, we will have to consider the issues related to utilisation of Russia's water resources. The scope of subjects is very broad, ranging from the current condition of domestic waterways and the environmental situation to development of hydro-power engineering, the river fleet and tourism. There are also such issues as combating floods and water utilisation in communal services, industry and agriculture.
All these issues, to varying degrees, relate to the quality of drinking water - that is, they concern each of us. This is a sphere where the interests of various industry sectors meet. You remember the saying from the well-known old Russian movie that goes: "No water, no life". There are plenty of problems, and their solution requires a systemic approach.
Today, the world is facing an increasing deficit of fresh water. Water is already ranked alongside such key natural resources as oil, natural gas and metals. Thank nature and God, due to its location Russia owns the world's largest resources of fresh water. However, we still use this treasure wastefully and inefficiently, without even keeping records.
Nevertheless, certain steps have been taken in this respect. First of all, a legal regulatory system has been adjusted. As you know, the new Russian Water Code came into effect on January 1, 2007, with water resources preservation as its priority. The Code defines the division of powers and competences between federal, regional and local authorities, with a considerable part of these powers given to the regional bodies.
However, we still lack effective economic means to encourage sustainable water use and implementation of up-to-date water cleansing technologies. In this regard, I request you to duly consider updating water consumption rates for different industry sectors and the rates-related issues - of course, I mean tariffs for water as well.
We also ought to impose order on the use of ground waters. Wells that have been illegally drilled for industrial needs above all, either should be closed or a certain economically appropriate charge should be levied for using the resources.
Today, hydraulic fills are often used for constructing facilities. The time has come to impose legal regulations on this issue to avoid damaging water areas and biological resources, and to settle the question of compensation for any damage caused.
Let us go further. Russia's hydroelectric plants produce about 18 percent of the overall electric power yield. At first sight, this is not a bad outcome - nevertheless, we could work more and gain more results, and not only by constructing new hydroelectric stations but also by increasing the productivity of those operating.
In this regard, we ought to solve the long-term task of accumulating water reserves for the plants to work to their full capacity during the so-called dry periods, which usually occur in winter when the need for electricity is particularly demanding.
http://www.government.ru
Loading...
8:18
Д.Медведев.Совещание в связи с пожаром в Перми.05.12.09.Part 2by niknikolay4,127 views
Link to this comment:
All Comments (0)