On Wednesday, 1 April 2026, APE and seven organisations representing water-dependent sectors sent a joint letter urging the European Commission to carefully assess the economic implications of the forthcoming revision of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Aqua Publica Europea, together with EurEau, the European Molluscs' Producers Association, the European Water Association, the International Association of Water Service Companies in the Danube Region, Natural Mineral Waters Europe, SGI Europe, and UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, emphasises that these sectors rely directly on Europe’s water bodies and contribute to local economic development through investment, innovation, and employment.

While we welcome the objectives of the Call for Evidence for an impact assessment of the WFD revision—particularly the focus on competitiveness, strategic autonomy, and the identification of economic, social, and environmental impacts—the signatories stress that any revision should not compromise environmental protection or human health.

The European Commission should carefully evaluate the potential unintended economic and operational consequences of changes to key principles of the Directive, such as quality objectives and protection standards, as weakening these principles could have cascading effects across multiple sectors.

Reduced raw water quality could significantly increase treatment costs, which may ultimately be passed on to consumers and businesses, including SMEs. In cases where additional treatment is not feasible or economically viable, declining water quality could even lead to the closure of certain activities or the loss of access to specific water sources, creating tensions between users and sectors.

A robust and stable water framework is not only an environmental safeguard but also a structural condition for significant parts of the European economy to thrive, invest, and contribute to the Union’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

Read our full joint letter here.