(ANSA) - BRUSSELS - Greece risks to pay a big fine because
the poor waste water treatment in the Gulf of Elefsina has not
been addressed. Eleven years after a sentence of the the EU
Court of Justice, the EU Commission is asking the same Court to
impose a lump sum from the date of the first judgment until the
Member State has rectified the infringement or in the absence of
compliance until the date of the second judgment, based on a
daily amount multiplied by the number of days the infringement
persists, leading, up to now, to a sum of 15,943,620 euros. The
EU Commission is also proposing a daily fine of 34,974 euros,
which would be paid from the date of the EU Court ruling until
Greece fully complies with EU law. The lack of adequate
treatment systems in the area of Thriasio Pedio poses risks to
human health, to inland waters and the marine environment. These
penalties, proposed by the EU Commission under the Lisbon
Treaty, take into account the seriousness of the infringement,
its duration, and the deterrent effect reflecting the ability to
pay of the Member State. The final decision on the penalties
rests with the Court. Despite some progress, only 28% of the
urban waste water is collected and treated before being
discharged into the Gulf of Elefsina. (ANSA).
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