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PRESTO

PRESTO project improves quality of local waters and the Baltic Sea by reducing nutrient load through transnational investments, education and awareness rising.

Project PRESTO (Project on Reduction of the Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea Today) tackles the eutrophication which is the main environmental problem of the Baltic Sea. Eutrophication is caused by excess load of nutrients - nitrogen and phosphorus - to the sea mainly from land-based sources.

Some of the symptoms of eutrophication are visible for all of us like reduced water transparency, massive occurrences of harmful algae and slimy beaches. Some of the problems lay under the surface like dead zones in the bottom of the sea and deteriorated spawning areas of many fish species. Visible or not these symptoms indicate that actions are needed right now.

Good environmental state of the Baltic Sea is important for attractiveness, living conditions and welfare of the cities and communities along its shoreline. It is also important to realize that the symptoms of eutrophication are not a problem only by the Sea but also excess load of nutrients has very negative effect on rivers and lakes in Baltic Sea catchment area.

PRESTO aims at significant nutrient load reduction: app. 500 tons reduction of phosphorus load to the Baltic Sea. This can be achieved with joint investments that are realised in Belarusian municipal wastewater treatment plants. Reducing transboundary nutrient load from Belarus improves also water quality of European rivers and in the end actions are improving the state of the Baltic Sea.

In addition to investments, PRESTO increases the competence of operating staff of the waste water treatment plants, plant designers and trainers of future wastewater engineers by organizing courses on modern waste water treatment and showing practical examples of reconstruction projects in their different stages.