The Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) aims to protect human health and the environment from the effects of untreated urban wastewater.
The current EU’s Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive dates from 1991. Although the water quality of European rivers, lakes and seas has considerably improved, there is still pollution that needs to be addressed and is not covered by the current rules. To address this, the Commission has proposed an update to the Directive. This modernisation is essential to limit the urban impacts on the environment, human health, recreational activities, and to protect drinking water.
EFTTA has united with 18 organizations to urge co-legislators to adopt this crucial revision of the Directive. The co-signatories, non-profit associations, businesses and business associations, emphasise the importance that this 30-year old legislation is adapted to modern water and environmental challenges.
Among others, the signatories call for “Ensuring a timely introduction of integrated urban wastewater management plans that prioritise green and blue infrastructure to climate-proof cities and reduce pollution from urban wastewaters and runoffs”.
The next trilogy meeting on the UWWTD scheduled for 29 January is expected to significantly advance the ongoing interinstitutional negotiations on the proposed revision of the directive.
Download: Joint Statement on the Urban Wasterwater Treatment Directive
