Direct naar content

European Environment Agency: more action needed to improve Europe’s water quality

Europees Milieuagentschap: meer actie nodig om waterkwaliteit Europa te verbeteren

On October 15th, the European Environment Agency (EEA) released a report on the state of Europe’s water. In 2021, only 37% of surface waters met the standards for good ecological status, despite the European Water Framework Directive’s goal for all waters to meet these standards by 2027. Additionally, just 29% of water bodies achieved the required chemical quality. These findings come from data collected in 19 European countries, including the Netherlands.

The EEA report highlights differences in water quality across various countries. In nations like Germany and the Netherlands, a higher number of water bodies fail to meet the required standards. Vewin, the Dutch association for water companies, confirms this trend. The quality of drinking water sources in the Netherlands is increasingly under pressure and has not improved significantly in recent years. Pollution from agriculture, industry, and households is causing the quality of drinking water sources to deteriorate.

Multiple challenges for future european water management

The EEA identifies three major challenges for the future of European water management: protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems, achieving zero pollution, and adapting to water scarcity, drought, and flood risks. According to Vewin, this report underscores the importance of the European Commission’s recently announced Water Resilience Initiative. Vewin plans to contribute its own proposals, both directly and through the European umbrella organization EurEau, to help shape new European Commission policies on water resilience.

Read Vewin’s position on the Water Framework Directive – Dutch

Read the full report from the European Environment Agency

Alexander van den Honert

Stuurgroepsecretaris Doelmatigheid, Transparantie & Waterketen

honert@vewin.nl

070 349 08 55

Contact

Naam(Vereist)
E-mailadres(Vereist)
Laat ons weten wat je bezighoudt. Heb je een vraag voor ons? Stel hem gerust.
*Verplicht veld

Abonneren Waterspiegel

"*" geeft vereiste velden aan

Naam*
Adres*