The amount of abstracted and discharged water in 2019 remained at a similar level compared to 2018. During 2019, there were no habitats or species that were significantly affected by the discharge and leakage of water. Data on the quantities of abstracted water and water intakes, as well as types, quantities and outlets of wastewater from thermal power plants and combined heat and power plants in 2019 are presented on page 103 of the 2019 Sustainability Report.
Data on the quantities of abstracted and discharged water and discharged water quality testing results are submitted to the company Hrvatske vode (Legal entity for water management) twice a year. HEP also reports annually on sources, types, quantities, quality and methods of wastewater discharge and on wastewater treatment plants via electronic database of the Environmental Pollution Register (ROO) kept by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.
In order to improve our business processes, manage data and plan more efficiently, data on quantities of abstracted and discharged water and data on the quality of discharged water are kept in HEP's internal electronic database INFOZOK (Environmental Information System).
During 2019, there was no pollution or plants’ expansion that influenced the spread of invasive species, pathogens or parasites, reducing the number of native species, changing habitats, altering natural processes, altering groundwater salinity or levels.
Hydro power plants
HEP’s hydro power plants carry out the following activities:
- Monthly water quality testing on its reservoirs performed by accredited laboratories;
- Periodic groundwater and surface water quality testing in hydro accumulation systems (intake and outlet channels, reservoirs, drainage channels, coastal areas, old river beds) performed by accredited laboratories and scientific institutions;
- Development and implementation of provisions from emergency response operational plans in case of extraordinary and sudden water pollution;
- Ensuring continuous water flow in the quantities prescribed for each hydro power plant separately, in order to preserve the ecosystem of the watercourse;
- Ensuring the implementation of the provisions related to reservoirs, as prescribed by the company Hrvatske Vode.
Thermal power plants
Thermal power plants have obtained
environmental permits, whose constituent parts are water right conditions for wastewater discharge. For thermal power plants that are still in the process of obtaining environmental permits, water right permits for wastewater discharge apply. In line with the decisions on environmental permits, i.e. water right permits and requirements from concessions, the following activities are carried out in thermal power plants:
- Monthly wastewater quality testing (composite samples) in control-measuring shafts performed by accredited laboratories;
- Keeping records of the amounts of discharged wastewater;
- Measuring the temperature and the amount of discharged cooling water;
- Measuring the flow of wastewater;
- Checking and testing the watertightness of water structures for wastewater drainage and treatment;
- Development and implementation of emergency response operational plans in case of extraordinary and sudden water pollution.
Reporting
Once a year, HEP reports on sources, types, quantities, quality and methods of wastewater discharge and on wastewater treatment plants via electronic database of the Environmental Pollution Register (
ROO) kept by t
he Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.
In accordance with legal regulations, HEP's hydro power plants, thermal power plants and combined heat and power plants submit to the company Hrvatske Vode data on monthly and annual amounts of discharged wastewater and performed wastewater tests.
Debris removal
For the purpose of preserving their own facilities and improving water quality, HEP's hydro power plants have for many years been removing and disposing of mixed waste, so-called debris that stops at plant’s inlets and trashracks during high water periods. Annually, from 2,500 to 4,500 tons of waste stops at the trashracks. The removal of debris calls for significant financial investments.
Even though the hydro power plants on whose trashracks debris stops do not produce such waste, Hrvatska Elektroprivreda, although not legally obliged, fully finances the separation of deposited waste from the watercourse and its further handling and management.
