Our Publications

Sewer networks are a vital part of the urban environment. They provide drainage, prevent flooding of property and protect the water environment around urban areas.

We recognise many opportunities to make urban environments more sustainable through the management of waste water flows and storm water. We also acknowledge the significant financial responsibilities that are associated with making changes to the network of collecting systems.

This document provides a short reaction to and additional thoughts on the Deloitte study into Extended Producer Responsibility, accompanied by complementary information on the water services sector.

EurEau largely supports the study’s outcome. The study builds a solid case in favour of mandatory control-at-source measures, complemented, where necessary, by other mitigation measures along the supply chain and financed through mandatory EPR schemes. The study also highlights the need to adjust the relevant EU legislation, conduct a solid cost-benefit analysis of all mitigation measures and set up an inclusive process to develop fair, proportionate and effective EPR schemes

Drinking water operators have a long history of cooperation with farmers with a view to reducing agricultural pressures on drinking water resources. 

These cooperation projects encompass various activities: from advising and training farmers to paying minimum income guarantees in case of shifting to an alternative agriculture or even a financial transaction under the condition that pesticides and fertilisers are not applied in a given area.

EurEau commissioned a study to assess the potential applicability and relevance of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in order to develop clear policy guidance to address emissions of micropollutants and microplastics from products. A key finding of the study confirms that control-at-source measures should be the starting point of mitigation measures.

Climate change will directly and significantly affect water service providers in most parts of Europe, resulting in more frequent or intense periods of drought, heat waves or rain storms, and in more places.

We will all need to be more proactive to prepare for the growing scale of the fallout. This was evident with the intense drought during the spring and summer of 2018 when it became clear that the water sector must get involved in local/regional/national crisis management.

Our sectors’ response to climate change should encompass both mitigation (reducing the impact of water services) and adaptation (become resilient to its effects) measures.

This briefing note focuses on how climate change will impact on our sector, and the ways and means to adapt to these changes based on our current knowledge.

Microplastics are widespread and have been found in marine environments, surface water, in soils, in the air we breathe, in some of the food we eat (shellfish, honey, salt), and even in beer. The number of microplastic particles in groundwater is deemed to be negligible. The potential impact of microplastics on public health and ecosystems is a growing public concern and has been high on the agenda of decision makers for some time. With growing global use of (micro-)plastics, their release to the environment is expected to increase. Our briefing note outlines our concerns, and why we want to see more control at source measures. 

Our Briefing Note demonstrates the impact of persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent, very mobile (vPvM) substances on water services and calls for ambitious regulatory measures to restrict their use. EurEau supports the Council’s call for an action plan to phase out PFAS, some of which are PMT/vPvP substances.

The water sector has made great strides in becoming more energy-friendly. There are, nevertheless, limits to these improvements. Principle factors include local configurations and finding the right balance between environmental objectives, economical feasibility and water services affordability.

Efforts must be supported by policymakers to better address future challenges through an enabling regulatory framework, support for the establishment of financial instruments alongside the unambiguous implementation of the Control at Source Principle to avoid new treatment requirements that consume energy

Micropollutants can directly or indirectly enter the water cycle through many means. Once in the water cycle, they can pose a risk to drinking water resources and aquatic ecosystems.
Current technologies used in waste water treatment plants are not entirely capable of removing micropollutants. The most sustainable and preferred solution remains to prevent micropollutants – including microplastics – from entering the water cycle in the first place.
We call on the EU institutions to legislate according to the source control approach, the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle. EurEau believes that the correct use of the source control approach is instrumental to achieve a truly circular economy.

European policy on micropollutants in surface water and groundwater should be based on the principles of ‘Control-at-Source’ and ‘Polluter-Pays’. The correct use of the source control approach is also essential to protecting human health and achieving a truly circular economy.

In this paper we present some considerations and recommendations to inform and assist decision makers.