Importance of relating measures against eutrophication in the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive to the principles of the Water Framework Directive

The wastewater sector has already made a significant contribution to enhancing the sustainability of European water resources, and we recognise that we have a major part to play in meeting requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), and one of the most important roles in helping to reach the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and a future Sludge Directive.

Considerable efforts have been made so far work towards meeting the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). The efforts have led to substantial improvements of the quality of many rivers, lakes and coastal waters in the Member States. However, as shown in the European Commission report 2004 (0248), on the Implementation of the UWWTD, as at 1998 there is still more work to be carried out before all the requirements are met.