European Parliament (EP) Intergroup hybrid event on the 'Revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive: Just wasted water or a sustainable resource?'

Hybrid event held at the European Parliament (JAN 6Q1) & online

Hosted by MEP Christophe Hansen

EVENT REGISTRATION:

• If you would like to join the event physically, please fill in the Physical Attendance Registration Form. Registrations for physical participation will close on the 2nd of March 2023.

• If you would like to join the event online, please fill in the Online Attendance Registration Form.

Directive 91/271 on Urban waste water treatment (UWWTD) has succeeded in reducing pollution from wastewater and contributing to the ecological and chemical status of the European water bodies, even if good status is yet not achieved everywhere in accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC. After thirty years, the UWWTD has to be revised to tackle remaining pollution, better align it with the overarching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the European Green Deal and to enhance the governance of the wastewater sector. 

The proposal for a recast UWWTD, presented by the European Commission in October 2022, shows the way for the wastewater sector to become energy, resource and climate neutral while improving environmental protection. However, very substantial investments will be needed to fulfil the new objectives and requirements. Hence, the implementation will only be successful if three conditions are met: effective control-at-source measures to reduce treatment needs, sufficient time to implement innovative solutions and ensuring sufficient financing to pay for the investments. 

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety is currently preparing the European Parliament’s first reading position. Therefore, this event will offer lawmakers the opportunity to learn about the recommendations of different stakeholders including policy-makers, regulators, NGOs and water operators. It will explore the key elements of the proposed Directive, identify priorities for investment and discuss drivers for successful implementation. 

DRAFT AGENDA:

13:45 – 13:55:             Welcome remarks by MEP Christophe Hansen

13:55 – 14:05:             Presentation of the Proposal for a revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) by Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries (tbc)

14:05 – 14:15 :           Intervention by MEP Nils Torvalds, EP Rapporteur for the UWWTD recast (tbc)

14:15 – 14:25:            Intervention by Jorid Hammersland, Counsellor – Working Party on the Environment (Restoration, biodiversity, LULUCF, water and air emissions), Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU (tbc)

14:25 – 14:45:            Reactions from stakeholders (5’ per speaker) on challenges & opportunities ahead:

• Christian Minelli, Secretary General, WAREG (tbc)
• Sergiy Moroz, Policy Manager for Water and Biodiversity, EEB (tbc) 
• Michel Sponar, Deputy Head of C2 Unit on “Marine Environment & Clean Water Services”, DG ENV, European Commission (tbc)
• EurEau representative (speaker name tbc)

14:45 – 15:25:          Q&A session with the audience, including reactions from MEPs (5’ per speaker):

• MEP Marek Paweł Balt, EP Shadow Rapporteur for the UWWTD recast (tbc)
• MEP Margrete Auken, EP Shadow Rapporteur for the UWWTD recast (tbc)
• more MEPs (tbc)

15:25 – 15:30:        Closing remarks by MEP Christophe Hansen