The promise and curse of water

Like many European capitals, Riga is located near water courses. The Daugava River crosses the city, and several lakes are located in the vicinity. In the past, trade and expansion centres were founded near navigable and exploitable water resources. Many of these cities became capitals and industrial centres due to the availability of knowledge, capital, labour and water. But water was a curse, too. Flooding of the Daugava River frequently devastated Riga. Water-borne epidemics caused high mortality. Industrial expansion turned the capitals and other large cities into the first polluted communities. During the Soviet occupation all Baltic capitals became centres of heavy industry and heavy pollution. Water protection started late, and efficient municipal wastewater treatment plants not built until after restoration of independence. The central WWTP of Riga started to operate in 1991.