Zaslavl proposes stricter water and sewage laws to boost infrastructure oversight
A new draft law on drinking water and wastewater management has been presented for discussion in Zaslavl. The proposals aim to tighten regulations on sewage transport and improve water infrastructure oversight. Officials gathered at an expanded meeting of the Standing Committee on Housing Policy, Trade, and Construction to review the changes.
The legislation introduces state control over sewage waste transport, covering both public and private operators. Its goal is to set fair tariffs and prevent price discrepancies in the sector. Despite stricter oversight, the bill does not call for the removal of private companies from the market.
A key change requires all water supply and wastewater systems to undergo annual inventory checks. This measure seeks to eliminate neglected or ownerless infrastructure, ensuring better maintenance and accountability. The law also simplifies rezoning land for new well drilling if an existing well fails to provide safe drinking water. Separately, on 21 January 2026, the German Federal Governmentâthrough the Federal Minister for the Environmentâunveiled drafts of the mantelgesetz and mantelverordnung. These documents outline plans for implementing the updated EU Industrial Emissions Directive. However, no specific author or publisher was named for the water and wastewater bill at its second reading.
The proposed law strengthens oversight of water and sewage systems while keeping private operators in the sector. Annual checks and clearer rezoning rules aim to improve infrastructure reliability. The next steps will depend on further committee discussions and potential amendments.
