Problem
From the year 1998, the chemical company HELIOS earmarks
50 slovenian tolars (cca. 0,20 euro) of every litre
of environmental friendly products sold into the Helios’
fund for preservation of Slovenian water.
At the beginning, the Helios’ fund for preservation
of Slovenian water earmarked its finances for cleaning
of many karst caves and abysses, which were executed
by a number of chosen caving clubs. Between the years
of 1998 to 2001, approximately 240 cubic meters of litter
were cleaned from the caves. The litter consisted mostly
of cadavers (leftovers of cattle slaughtering), plastic
and thin packaging, broken household appliances and
car-bodies, as well as of other domestic wastes. Cleaning
of karst caves and abysses effectivelly reduced the
risk of polluting drinking water resources.
The project even has another positive effect. It serves
as a tool for raising public awareness about environmental
issues within the area. Caving clubs report that majority
of the caves have remained clean, and life is slowly
returning to most of them.
In 1999, a different sanitation project started –
the restoration and revitalization of Slovenian rural
and municipal wells. The priority is given to wells
with an important architectural, typological or spatial
value. Another important criterion for the selection
is the possibility of successful revitalization and
integration of a well within the life of a local community.
Besides the renovation of a well and its close surrounding,
a great importance is given also to the protection of
the area from where the well receives its water. Only
this can assure clean drinking water in a particular
well. In some places, renovated and revitalized wells
with clean drinking water are now included in the local
tourist offer. |
