Negotiators from the Council and the European Parliament have achieved a groundbreaking provisional political agreement on the proposal to revise the urban wastewater treatment directive, marking a significant step forward in the European Union’s commitment to its zero-pollution action plan.
The updated directive, a cornerstone of the EU’s environmental strategy, is designed to set the highest standards for treating urban wastewater while ensuring robust monitoring mechanisms to prevent the release of harmful substances such as microplastics or PFAS into the environment.
Alain Maron, Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for climate change, environment, energy, and participatory democracy, expressed enthusiasm for the agreement, stating, “Today’s agreement with the Parliament puts us on the right track to reach our zero-pollution objective for Europe. It paves the way for the highest standards to be set for treating urban wastewater and monitoring it so that it does not release harmful substances.”
While the existing directive has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing water pollution and enhancing wastewater treatment practices over the past three decades, the proposed revision seeks to align with the objectives of the European Green Deal and extend its scope.
Acknowledging the wastewater treatment sector’s potential to contribute significantly to reducing EU greenhouse gas emissions, the revised rules introduce a deadline for achieving energy neutrality within the sector. Additionally, an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme is introduced to ensure a fair contribution from the most polluting sectors toward wastewater treatment for micropollutants.
This provisional agreement, a crucial milestone in environmental policy, awaits formal adoption by both the Council and the European Parliament. Once adopted, the revised directive is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Europe’s commitment to zero pollution and sustainable environmental practices.
