What is wastewater
Wastewater is used water that needs to be collected and treated before being safely returned to the environment. It comes from households, businesses, industry and storm water systems.
Wastewater is any water that has been used and is no longer clean. It includes:
- Domestic wastewater: water from showers, toilets, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, etc.
- Industrial wastewater: water used in manufacturing or industrial processes.
- Urban runoff: rainwater that flows over streets, roofs and surfaces, picking up pollutants on the way.
Before it can be returned to rivers, lakes or the sea, wastewater must be collected and treated. Treatment removes harmful bacteria, pollutants and chemicals (including microplastics), nutrients, and other contaminants. This protects public health, ecosystems, and the quality of drinking water sources.
In Europe, wastewater is treated under the 2025 reacast Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD), which regulates the collection, treatment and discharge of urban waste water, as well as waste water from certain industrial activities.
It is a cornerstone of European water protection policy and essential for the work of our sector.
Our Priorities
Keeping our environment clean is essential to ensuring that everyone has enough water to meet their needs now and in the future. The recast Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive is a major step forward for Europe’s wastewater sector, supporting both environmental and consumer protection. It strengthens public health safeguards, addresses emerging pollutants, promotes circular economy solutions, and aligns wastewater management with broader environmental goals.
We strongly advocate a source control approach to contaminants. Preventing harmful substances from entering the environment is critical for maintaining both a clean environment and affordable water services. Where contaminants cannot be fully prevented, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) must fund advanced treatment of micropollutants, while ensuring that investments remain realistic and proportionate to local contexts. We welcome the introduction of this policy in the directive and remain committed to ensuring it is effectively implemented.
Key positions and briefings
Our other priorities
Drinking water
From source to glass, we work to protect public health by implementing rigorous EU standards and a holistic ‘catchment-to-tap’ approach for safe drinking water.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Tackling the challenge of highly persistent PFAS by collaborating with stakeholders to eliminate emissions and ensure our drinking water sources remain safe and clean.