23 November 2012: The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, known as the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), has announced Estonia’s adoption of higher standards for municipal wastewater treatment plants.

HELCOM notes that Estonia’s move will contribute to reducing phosphorus loads from wastewater, a major cause of pollution in the Baltic Sea, and exceed treatment standards set by the European Union (EU) Urban Waste Water Directive. The commitment was discussed at HELCOM’s Land-based Pollution Group Workshop held in Dessau, Germany.

HELCOM highlights that its stricter standards are intended to maintain the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.

HELCOM is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea countries and the EU, working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from pollution and to ensure safety of navigation. [HELCOM Press Release]