| INTERVIEW

Interview with Trine Christiansen, European Environment Agency

Ms. Trine Christiansen, Acting Head of the Freshwater and Marine Unit at the European Environment Agency, responds to APE's questions on the recent Europe's State of Water 2024 report. In this interview, Ms. Christiansen analyses the factors behind the slow progress in improving Europe's water bodies. She highlights the importance of preventive measures for tackling persistent pollutants, the potential of nature-based solutions, and the urgent need to adapt our water practices to ensure water security. She also shares her views on the role and responsibility of water operators in strengthening water resilience. Read the full interview.

| SAVE THE DATE

FINANCING WATER RESILIENCE: Reconciling Environmental Sustainability, Equity, and Efficiency in the Water Sector for the Future of Europe

We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming public seminar, “FINANCING WATER RESILIENCE - Reconciling Environmental Sustainability, Equity, and Efficiency in the Water Sector for the Future of Europe”, that will take place in the European Parliament in Brussels, on 9 April from 9:30 to 11:30. Hosted by the MEP Stine Bosse, this seminar will aim to explore the key elements of a new water economic model for Europe, by developing a dialogue with experts from leading international institutions, the financial sector, industry, civil society, public authorities, as well as European policymakers. This seminar will be held in person only, an in English only. More information available soon.

| APE NEWS

APE shares a response to the public consultation of the upcoming Water Resilience Strategy

Europe is facing a significant water crisis. As climate change is increasingly affecting the water cycle and the overexploitation of limited water resources continues, the risk of conflicts between users and territories will intensify without concrete actions. Public water operators have important responsibilities in building water resilience, but there are standing challenges that they cannot address alone. In this new position paper, Aqua Publica Europea outlines recommendations in seven key areas to feed into the European Commission’s announced European Water Resilience Strategy that aims to make Europe water-resilient. Click here to read the full paper.

Key takeaways from our working group on the Urban Wastewater Treatment and Sewage Sludge Directives

Our internal Working Group on the Urban Wastewater Treatment and Sewage Sludge Directives, chaired by Armando Quazzo (SMAT), met on 12 February to discuss key updates from the European Commission’s UWWTD Expert Group. Topics covered included: upcoming delegated and implementing acts, extended producer responsibility, policy developments on the expected Circular Economy Act, and the launch of the Biosolids Observatory project. The meeting was a great opportunity to align on priorities and next steps for the successful implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. The meeting minutes and the presentation are available in the members-only section of our website.

Building resilient cities: APE presents at an UN-Habitat initiative to support Ukraine’s recovery efforts

APE was invited to contribute to the Shelter Academy, a capacity development programme sponsored by UN-Habitat, which is supporting Ukraine’s recovery efforts.  The event, which took place from December 8 to 11 2024 in Kraków (Poland), focused on water management and infrastructure and brought together participants from six Ukrainian municipalities. APE introduced EU regulations and their impact, with a particular emphasis on drinking water and wastewater management.

An insightful report by the EU Foresight System for Emerging Environmental Issues  explores environmental and societal challenges that impact Europe’s ability to achieve water resilience by 2050

The report offers a very in-depth analysis of the interconnectedness between water and other social and economic domains, pinpointing very effectively several trade-offs that need to be considered when developing water resilience policies.  In particular, 10 “priority emerging issues” that relate social, economic and technological developments are identified and their interconnection is analysed through “5 clusters of change”. Read more about the clusters on our website and access the full report here.

| NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

Eau de Paris takes action against PFAS pollution

As France moves forward with a new legislation restricting PFAS chemicals in certain consumer goods, Eau de Paris, the capital’s public water utility, is taking a bold step by filing a complaint against manufacturers producing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) responsible for water contamination. Despite meeting current health standards, the water utility warns that PFAS, including trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), remain a serious concern. The rising cost of decontamination is currently borne by consumers, but Eau de Paris insists that chemical manufacturers must be held accountable. This legal action, announced by Dan Lert, President of Eau de Paris and Vice President of Aqua Publica Europea, aims to make polluters pay and protect public water resources. With France’s new PFAS restrictions set to take effect in 2026, coordinated efforts are crucial in tackling pollution at its source. Read more.

Gruppo CAP launches energy recovery project in Rozzano

Gruppo CAP (serving the province around Milan, Italy) has initiated a new experimental project to enable the exchange of electricity and thermal energy between the Rozzano wastewater treatment plant—one of 40 plants managed by the operator—and the ATMOS district heating plant, operated by GETEC Italia (provider of energy efficiency services). The project aims to enhance the use of renewable energy derived from wastewater treatment, improving energy efficiency, supporting energy neutrality and emission reduction targets set by the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Read more.

Águas de Gaia engages in Water Operators’ Partnership to support Ukrainian utility

Águas de Gaia (Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal) has met with Maryna Mykhailenko, Ukrainian Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic, to discuss a collaboration project with Oblvodokanal, the water utility in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. The partnership is part of the Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) initiative led by Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance/UN-Habitat (GWOPA). As a mentor utility in the WOPs initiative, Águas de Gaia will provide technical expertise and operational support to strengthen the capacity of Oblvodokanal. Read more.

AEOPAS highlights three priorities to ensure equitable and sustainable water management at EU Parliament public hearing

Luis Babiano, Secretary General of AEOPAS (Spain), participated as one of the invited experts at the ENVI Committee’s public hearing on water resilience that took place on the 27 January at the EU Parliament. He stressed how climate change is fundamentally impacting the governance of water resources and identified three priorities to ensure equitable and sustainable water management: 1. Eliminating speculative mechanisms, while increasing investment flows to water resource management, 2. Establishing robust regulation to ensure efficiency, 3. Encouraging strategic planning by co-creation and participatory governance.

View this email in your browser

Subscribe