Securing the supply of drinking water for Tallinn Lake Ülemiste is a shallow eutrophic lake which has been the main reservoir of drinking water for Tallinn since the 14th century. The water level is controlled by a Water Treatment Plant which supplies over 90% of the inhabitants of Tallinn with drinking water (the rest of the population is supplied from bore wells (Tallinn Environmental Strategy to 2030). The catchment area of the lake has been enlarged from 70 km² to 1865 km² and a complex interlinkage of reservoirs and canals has been built on the Pirita, Jägala and Soodla rivers in order to direct water into the lake (Panksep et al. 2009). Lake Ülemiste is affected by water quality problems, the main of which include its high phytoplankton biomass, which results in costly treatment for human consumption, an accumulation of thick sediment at the bottom of the lake that can release particulate matter during windy periods; and contamination from the city’s airport which is located on the eastern shore of the lake. The main measures taken so far by the city to protect Tallinn’s drinking water reservoir and improve water quality have included:
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