No revision of the Water Framework Directive

The European Commission (EC) presented a simplification package in the field of the environment in December 2025, the so-called environmental omnibus. Within this package, it was announced that the Water Framework Directive (WFD) will be revised in the first half of 2026. This revision is proposed because the EC aims to improve access to critical raw materials within the EU. According to the EC, existing environmental legislation, including the WFD, hinders this objective.

In the public consultation published on 17 March 2026, the EC reiterates its ambition to improve access to critical raw materials through mining and, for this purpose, to revise the WFD. Vewin is concerned about this intention due to the risks it may pose to the protection and improvement of the quality and availability of drinking water sources. The EC also announced that it will carry out an impact assessment. Vewin welcomes this intention, as it will help to map the potential consequences of revising the WFD.

Importance of the WFD

The WFD is essential for the drinking water sector. Key principles such as the precautionary principle and the “polluter pays” principle are embedded in it. In addition, the WFD provides crucial guidance on water quality, cross-border river basin management, and the protection of drinking water sources. The ambition of the WFD is to improve water quality to such an extent that drinking water can be produced with less treatment.

However, we observe that water quality is still insufficient and that more treatment effort is required to produce drinking water. We also see that, despite the objective of preventing deterioration in water quality, drinking water sources no longer meet the standards for drinking water production. It is therefore urgent to strengthen efforts to improve the quality of drinking water sources. This requires additional focus on implementation and enforcement, rather than revision, deregulation, or potential weakening of the regulatory framework. Coherence with other relevant legislation, such as the Drinking Water Directive, REACH, and the Nitrates Directive, is also essential.

• Make every effort to achieve the WFD objectives by 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. Give priority to improving the quality of drinking water sources.
• Focus on implementation and coherence with related legislation to safeguard water quality.

No need for revision

Vewin sees no need for a revision of the WFD. During its evaluation of the directive in 2019, the EC concluded that the directive is still “fit for purpose” and that revision is not necessary. The current proposal is primarily aimed at creating additional exemption possibilities for the mining sector, but such exemptions already exist under Article 4.7 of the current WFD. Furthermore, additional possibilities have recently been created through revisions of the WFD itself, the Environmental Quality Standards Directive, and the Groundwater Directive.
The EC has also announced that it will publish guidance in the first quarter of 2026 to clarify how the WFD should be implemented and how this can specifically support the mining sector. Other approaches to promote European mining, such as harmonising the implementation of the WFD, improving permitting procedures, and issuing guidance, are more appropriate and effective than revising the directive.

• Ensure alternative ways to improve access to critical raw materials in the EU, such as through guidance, harmonisation of WFD implementation, or improved permitting procedures.
• Revision of the WFD is unnecessary and undesirable.

Risks of revision

Revising the WFD entails risks. Other stakeholders and interests will become involved in the process, increasing the likelihood that the implementation of the WFD and the achievement of its objectives will come under further pressure. In combination with proposed changes in the environmental omnibus, such as amendments to the Industrial Emissions Directive and proposals to accelerate environmental permitting, there is a risk that source-based measures, transparency, and preventive requirements will be weakened. These are key elements for the protection of drinking water sources.
If a revision of the WFD is nevertheless pursued, it is essential that effective protection and improvement of the quality and availability of drinking water sources are maintained.

• Ensure that the protection of drinking water sources is safeguarded, with the aim of reducing the treatment effort required for drinking water production.