The importance of wastewater treatment plants for sustainable development

The concept of sustainable development has gained in its importance with the attempt to align the goals of economic development with the goals of preserving the quality of living environment. This paper explains the concept of sustainable development and its dimensions, emphasizing its connection with the communal activity of purification and drainage of atmospheric and wastewater. The evidence from the Republic of Serbia regarding wastewater treatment plants and environmental protection costs raises concerns about sustainability issues. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to point out the importance of increasing wastewater treatment plants' capacity and improving their operability, as well as to emphasize the necessity for structural changes of public utility companies to address the identified problems.