|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Black Sea Environmental Program (BSEP) Studies have reported that 58 percent of the total nitrogen and 66 percent of the total phosphorus flowing in dissolved form into the Black Sea come from the Danube basin. More than half of all the nutrient load in the Danube River originate from agriculture, about one fourth from private households and about 10-13 percent from industry. The Tansboundary Diagnostic Analysis indicated that Romania plays a significant role in the discharge of nutrients into the Black Sea, accounting for about 27 percent of the total discharge. The other coastal countries (Bulgaria, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, and Turkey) together account for another 43 percent, and the non-coastal countries (Austria, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, former Yugoslavia, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia, and Slovenia) for the remaining 30 percent. The water sector is key to economic growth and its operation has important environmental implications. Drinking water quality and availability in Romanian cities is poor, leading to higher levels of disease and other hardships. Water is also one of the main resources for the economy, including industry and agricultural sectors. The main problems of the water sector are: deteriorating assets, lack of investment capital, institutional weaknesses, and policy problems. The sector has the opportunity of major grant capital investment from European Union (EU) and other bilateral assistance throughout the region. In addition, the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) will be extending significant loans. Waters are also heavily polluted due to high nutrient discharges from agricultural sources. Large nutrient levels result in degradation of water quality, with negative impact on human health and on flora and fauna. Environmental improvements directly benefit the health of local populations, provide for the rational management of natural resources and energy, and are directly linked to the sustainability of economic development in Romania’s emerging market economy. Support in this sector, through assistance
for the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus discharge from breeding
operations, the introduction of ecological management systems for various
fertilizers, and the improvement of water and soil monitoring, will
lead to better water quality and abatement of environmental degradation.
|
|||||||
