Tallinn will not rebuild drainage system for cleaner Inglirand water
Tallinn does not plan to rebuild the stormwater drainage system to clean the water at Inglirand beach. Instead, it is trying to identify illegal wastewater connections, Deputy Mayor Kristjan Järvan said.
For years, one of Tallinn's most prominent waterfront areas has been known for its unpleasant odor and polluted water.
"Naturally, we want our beaches and coastal waters to be in good condition and pleasant and safe for both residents and the ecosystem," Järvan told ERR.
"The main cause of the unpleasant smell along the shores of Tallinn Bay is algae, whose growth is fueled by the water's high nutrient content," the deputy mayor said.
"Looking at the broader picture, the vast majority of the nutrient load in Tallinn Bay comes from the Pirita River, with the sources located mainly within the river's watershed. Agriculture is responsible for the largest share of that pollution and there are no quick or easy solutions to reduce its impact," Järvan said.
In 2021, the then-head of Tallinn's Kesklinn district said he hoped Inglirand would become an official public swimming beach. The beach was revitalized following the completion of Reidi tee, when the shoreline was also renovated. However, the Health Board has repeatedly warned that swimming in the waters at Inglirand may be unsafe.
Last summer, then-Kesklinn district head Sander Andla (Reform) said the root of the problem was that several stormwater outfalls, as well as a port, are located near Inglirand.
At the time, Andla said the only solution would be to relocate the stormwater outfalls farther away. "As for the timeline, it's important to understand that this isn't the kind of job that can be completed in a week by three people. It would cost the city several million euros," Andla said.
According to Järvan, redirecting the stormwater flowing into the Inglirand area is not a realistic solution because it would require extensive reconstruction of the stormwater drainage systems in Kesklinn and Lasnamäe. "That is why the city is focusing on improving stormwater quality, including identifying illegal wastewater connections to the stormwater drainage system," Järvan said.
"To that end, the city has commissioned a study to identify possible sources of pollution. Because the watershed being examined is large, the first study was unable to identify them. The search for pollution sources will continue and additional studies will be commissioned if necessary," Järvan added.
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Editor: Aleksander Krjukov, Marcus Turovski
