Aqua Publica Europea, together with 16 organisations representing civil society, healthcare professionals, social partners, recreational fishing associations, businesses and local authorities, is calling on the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to speed up the adoption of proposed new EU water pollution standards and to share their concerns about proposals to weaken and delay implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Close to 2.5 years after its publication, the European Parliament and the Council still haven’t reached an agreement on the European Commission’s proposal to update the lists of priority pollutants for surface and groundwater. As a result, critical pollutants such as PFAS, pesticides and pharmaceuticals, remain unregulated in EU waters contributing to widespread contamination of Europe’s waters.
This update is long overdue. Member States need urgent clarity on which rules to apply in the 2028-2033 River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) as this work should start in 2025. A delay in adoption could prevent Member States from taking the updated lists of pollutants into account when drafting their plans, which would further delay the monitoring and tackling of new substances by six years.
In parallel, attempts in the Council to include new exemptions in the WFD for temporary deterioration and for allowing deterioration following relocation of water or sediment is concerning. These amendments to core elements of the WFD go against its recent evaluation that concluded that the WFD is fit for purpose. Competitiveness requires a stable regulatory framework on water in order to drive investment into the water sector. In addition, Member States already have a large margin to provide permits for projects that lead to deterioration of water status when they are determined to be of overriding public interest.
Healthy waters are not only a vital natural resource for human well-being and the environment but also a key driver of Europe’s resilience and global competitiveness. Only by upholding the integrity of the WFD, maintaining a strong, predictable regulatory framework, and ensuring its effective implementation can we safeguard Europe’s water resources while fostering innovation, investment, and economic prosperity.
Read our full joint letter here.
