Non-recognition of problems

Water pollution problems throughout the regions of central and eastern Europe (CEE) and the former Soviet Union are not new to the experts. Scientists of the region identified them years ago, but the problems were not officially recognized, or even suppressed, by the previous authorities. Unlike the West, where the recognition and solution of problems sequentially progressed from traditional point sources and pollutants to non-point sources and priority pollutants, the sudden emergence of the problems in the CEE and Russia presents a dilemma for management and priority establishment.