‘The single biggest overhaul of EU water policy in 30 years’ – MEP Clune finalises negotiations on improving water quality standard
This week (April 11th), MEPs will endorse the agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
The legislation, which is a key initiative under the EU zero pollution plan for air, water and soil, now provides for a steady expansion of urban wastewater collection systems, connecting many more households, while pursuing stricter and more ambitious clean water targets by eliminating the broadest spectrum of pollutants and nutrients.
Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune, lead negotiator on the law on behalf of the European People’s Party, explained that the directive will “tackle new pollution threats, increase the availability and transparency of pollution data and require countries across Europe to alert each other about pollution events.”
“Reducing pollution and improving water quality in European lakes, rivers and coastal areas will significantly benefit the environment, while improving the well-being and health of EU citizens.
“Water resilience is a critical concern within the EU and it is an indispensable resource for the economy – for food, energy and industry.
“As part of the new legislative proposal, Member States including Ireland will have to remove harmful micro-pollutants from urban wastewaters as well as routinely monitor for pathogens such as Covid-19.
“There is also an important agricultural angle to the legislation, with Member States being strongly encouraged to extract valuable resources such as phosphorus from sewage sludge for agricultural re-use, in line with Europe’s circular economy objectives.
“Another core goal of the legislation is to improve access to sanitation in public spaces, particularity for the 2 million most vulnerable and marginalised people across Europe.
“Water is a vital public good that belongs to everyone and we must act responsibly in the way we use and reuse our precious water resources”, MEP Clune concluded.
