Environment Ministry: Hundreds of Millions Earmarked in Water Infrastructure

Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - Investments in water infrastructure are currently being implemented at an unprecedented speed, the Environment Ministry's communications department has told TASR in response to the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party's call on the government to present a clear plan for repairing such infrastructure earlier on Monday. "Hundreds of millions of euros from EU funds and the Environmental Fund are being directed to the construction of water-supply and sewerage networks," the ministry's department told TASR. According to PS representatives, Slovakia's water infrastructure is in a critical condition, resulting in the loss of potable water due to leaky pipes. The party called on the government to start addressing the situation immediately. "Progressive ideology is the only thing truly hindering the development of critical infrastructure, and the only thing that they can do is lobby in Brussels for wind farms that no one in Slovakia wants," stated the ministry. Earlier on Monday, PS candidates for the Kosice region governor and Kosice mayor posts Marian Porvaznik and Martin Mudrak, respectively, pointed to the region's dependence on the Starina water reservoir, adding that the planned zoning of the Poloniny National Park poses risks for the quality of water from this source. The ministry rejects this. "The Starina water reservoir has been designated by the Environment Ministry as being part of critical infrastructure. This means that the protection of drinking water sources, equally including the Starina reservoir hygienic zones, is the highest priority for the ministry and takes precedence over the proposed zoning of the Poloniny National Park," stated the department. MP Michal Sabo (PS) said that water infrastructure is neglected and is falling apart, with drinking water lost due to leaky pipes. He pointed to Slovakia's major investment backlog in this connection, urging the government to take the necessary measures. "This is another failed marketing attempt by Progressive Slovakia, which isn't capable of bringing any meaningful solutions other than spreading hysteria and lies," responded the ministry. jrg/df