Water body condition objectives as instrument of national water policy in Russia

One of the most important tools of water policy is the system of pollutants discharge regulation. In order to implement the principle of ‘persistent and gradual minimization of harmful impact on water bodies’ declared in the new Concept of National Water Policy of the Russian Federatoin, it is necessary to improve the above mentioned regulation system, to bring it into line with the current situation in Russian water sector and the best word practice. Main shortcomings of the current system are as follows: Actual condition of a water body as well as technical and economic possibility of achieving required water quality objectives are not enough taken into consideration; Payment system does not create financial flows necessary for adequate water protection; Payment amounts do not guarantee sufficient motivation for pollutants discharge decrease.