MEPs argue over water as a human right and this crucial resource's future, but who'll pay the bill? EPTV visits a wastewater treatment plant on World Water Day.

The price of water

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When a toilet flushes in the EU institutions,  this is where it might end up.

In Brussels 275 million litres of waste water  pass through this purification plant daily.

Private company Aquiris has had  the unenviable task of cleaning it up,

before it goes back into the River Senne,  since 2007.

Before, you had outlets discharging  sewage directly into the Senne.

all the waste water has been brought  into the plant behind me.

The river now, having been restored  back to having its primary role,

can accommodate ducks and fish,  which had disappeared for decades.

The price of clean river water  is 0.04 cents per litre.

Belgian drinking water costs €3 per m3  and rising, pricing some out of the market.

MEPs discussed the problem  of privatising water last week.

is as reasonable as trying to start  selling air in plastic bags.

The President of the EP Water Group,  Richard Seeber,

thinks each country should decide on public  or private approaches, but Europe can help.

There are certain Member States,  especially our new members,

to finance these expensive  wastewater treatment plants.

At the same time, I deplore the fact  that there are unused European funds.

For World Water Day, MEPs spoke with  Environment Commissioner Potočnik.

They hope to influence the Commission's  'Blueprint to safeguard Europe's Waters'.

It may mean higher water prices  to reflect the cost to the environment.

When there is less pollution,  less money is spent.