Publication Category: Policy Recommendation & Position papers

The EU’s proposed procurement framework treats drinking water and wastewater differently, despite their similar operational characteristics.EurEau calls for wastewater treatment to be recognised as an autonomous utility activity, bringing the whole water sector under a unified procurement regime.

EurEau calls for a voluntary, locally driven approach to water reuse, recognising wastewater operators as strategic partners in promoting water reuse in line with the EU Water Resilience Strategy while protecting drinking water resources. It also calls for full cost recovery for water reuse, and sees no need to extend the current Water Reuse Regulation […]

These recommendations call for an enabling, risk-aware approach to digitalisation, focused on reliability, security and continuity of essential water services. They emphasise readiness, good governance, data quality and proportionate implementation, while recognising both the opportunities and risks for water utilities.

The simplification of environmental assessments needs to strike the right balance to avoid creating loopholes for sectors with significant environmental footprints.

The Commission proposal for the ‘Simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements’ modifies the conditions for placing pesticides and biocides on the market It contains welcome measures to accelerate access to the market for new biocontrol substances and products.However, several proposals will negatively affect compliance with article 7.3 of the Water Framework Directive […]

Protecting our drinking water resources in a changing geopolitical climate

The INSPIRE Directive must be consistent with EU legislation aimed at protecting critical entities and vital societal services. The protection of public health and the environment must prevail over the right to access certain spatial data. Member States should be required to ensure that spatial data of infrastructure managed by the sectors listed in the […]

Drinking water and wastewater services are essential to the functioning of Europe’s societies and its internal market. As the European Union prepares the next Multiannual Financial Framework, funding for cohesion, prosperity and security represents a key opportunity to strengthen the resilience, sustainability and climate neutrality of the water services sector, in line with the objectives […]

As part of its recommendations, EurEau calls for a better protection of water resources. The classification of PMT and vPvM substances as substances of very high concern is essential, as these substances tend to accumulate in our scarce water resources. Furthermore, the Authorisation Procedure should be strengthened and the Generic Risk Assessment (GRA) approach extended. […]

BPA mainly enters the body through food, but its presence in drinking water also needs attention. While the EU ban on BPA in food contact materials is a positive step, it should be followed by a full REACH restriction, targeting BPA analogues and promoting safer alternatives. Since BPA transfers to water at higher temperatures, it […]