EurEau News
European Parliament workshop on PFAS substitutes
EurEau, together with its Dutch members Unie van Waterschappen and Vewin are organising the second PFAS workshop in the European Parliament on 25 February 2026. It will be hosted by Ingeborg Ter Laak, MEP (EPP, Netherlands) and bring together experts from the Forever Pollution Project, ChemSec and producers of PFAS-free products.
You can register here until 20.02.26 or when we reach room capacity.
EurEau position on the proposal for a regulation on the National and Regional Partnership Plans (next MFF)
Drinking water and wastewater services are essential to Europe’s societies and its internal market. As the EU prepares the next Multiannual Financial Framework, funding for cohesion, prosperity and security represents a key opportunity to strengthen the resilience, sustainability and climate neutrality of Europe’s water services, in line with the objectives of the European Water Resilience Strategy.
You can read our position here.
Briefing note: The criticality of energy security to achieve resilient water services
This briefing note outlines why energy security is becoming a defining issue for Europe’s water services. It explains the interdependence between health, climate resilience, competitiveness and security, while highlighting the sector’s potential to contribute to a resilient European energy system. It also explores innovative economic and financial instruments needed to unlock investment and ensure long-term energy security.
You can read the briefing note here.
Speaking out
EurEau Secretary General, Oliver Loebel, presented our priorities online at the DVGW LK1 meeting on 21 January.
Policy Advisor Sébastien Mouret represented EurEau at the General Assembly of the CIRSEAU project consortium, held in Madrid on 19-20 January.
EurEau Vice President, Brian Murphy, will speak at the Economist Impact Water Summit on 11 February in Brussels as part of the panel discussion on designing resilient water systems and nature-based infrastructure.
EU news
Water legislation
EPR: amendments rejected in Critical Medicines Act vote
On 20 January, the Critical Medicines Act was voted in the European Parliament Plenary. The European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) tabled some amendments calling for a temporary suspension of the EPR in the recast UWWTD, if a yearly assessment of the Directive (to be carried out by the Commission) would identify a negative impact on the availability of critical medicines.
The Plenary rejected the amendments addressing EPR.
Water and the environment
Wet wipes: Commission evaluates the Single-Use Plastics Directive
The Commission has launched the evaluation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive by publishing a Call for Evidence and a Public Consultation. The deadline for feedback on both documents is 17 March. The directive introduced requirements for products such as wet wipes and hygienic articles, which may lead to sewer blockages and pump clogging.
Water and agriculture
Fertilising Products Regulation: targeted consultation
DG GROW in the European Commission has commissioned consultants CSES and CSIL to conduct a technical study to support the evaluation of the EU Fertilising Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1009), “the FPR”.
A targeted consultation has been launched to gather more detailed and technical information on the FPR (deadline 6 February).
Water as an essential service
INSPIRE Directive: Commission launched revision
As part of its December environmental omnibus package, the Commission proposes several changes to the INSPIRE Directive which should create an internal market for spatial data.
EurEau welcomes efforts to align the directive with other data-related legislation, but calls for the public to be excluded from security-relevant spatial data on critical infrastructure. The protection of public health must have priority.
Other news
Denmark’s Water in Figures
DANVA has published its overview of the facts and figures that make up its water network. You can read it at danva.dk/waterinfigures.
EBC Foundation: 20th European+ Benchmarking Cycle Launched!
The European Benchmarking Co-operation launches its 20th anniversary cycle and invites water and wastewater utilities from across Europe to take part in this edition.
An integral part of the programme is the annual benchmarking workshop, which this year will take place in Madrid, Spain, on 18–20 November 2026.
All details about the new benchmarking cycle are available in the Call to Register and on the EBC website www.waterbenchmark.org.
Utilities registering via EurEau receive an introductory discount of 10% (for this year’s cycle only, using the promo code “EBCEurEau2026”), provided they have not participated in the EBC benchmarking programme within the past three years.
Registration is now open until 10 April 2026. If you would like to learn more, mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Events
26 March 2026 – SafeCREW (Climate-resilient management for safe disinfected and non-disinfected water supply systems Final Conference. More …
23-27 August 2026 – World Water Week 2026. Read the thematic scope for 2026.
16-18 September 2026 – Svenskt Vatten hosts the NORDIWA Nordic Drinking Water Conference in Stockholm. You can visit the conference website: NORDIWA: Home.
4-8 October 2026 – IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026, Glasgow, UK.
18–20 November 2026 – EBC annual benchmarking workshop, Madrid, Spain. www.waterbenchmark.org.