Water Framework Directive

This position paper is one of EUREAU’s contributions to the European Commission’s Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) of the Water Framework Directive. It focuses on future requirements for investment in the water sector and the need for financing to be secured and managed in a sustainable manner. The following key points are expressed:

Control at source should be the priority measure in limiting hazardous substances entering the environment. Substance identified as a priority substance under the WFD should be automatically listed for further authorisations and restrictions under REACH or other relevant legislation as pesticides or biocides regulation.

EUREAU participates in the core group work on Article 38 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and would like to comment on its future application.

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.

This position paper is one of EUREAU’s contributions to the European Commission’s Common Implementation Strategy of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). EUREAU supports the Commission’s objective of furthering a consistent implementation of the Water Framework Directive across Europe.

EUREAU supports the European Maritime Policy and the aims of the Marine Strategy directive but wishes to highlight its concerns in respect of the relationship of these with the programme of measures for the Water Framework Directive.