The proposed update to the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive would introduce new obligations to better control pollution due to rainwater, impose stricter standards for nutrient removal and require advanced treatment for the removal of micro-pollutants. To cover treatment costs, a system of extended producer responsibility targeting pharmaceuticals and cosmetics would be set up. To align the directive with the Green Deal's ambitions, an energy neutrality obligation would be introduced for wastewater treatment plants.

EPRS Policy podcast - Updating the EU rules on urban wastewater treatment

The Drinking Water Directive sets quality standards for drinking water and requires that Member States ensure monitoring and compliance with these standards.

The plans aim to increase citizens’ confidence in the water supply and increase the use of tap water for drinking, which could contribute to reducing plastic usage and litter.

If confidence in tap water improves, citizens can also contribute to reducing plastic waste from bottled water, including marine litter. Plastic bottles are one of the most common single use plastic items found on European beaches. With the update of the Drinking Water Directive, the Commission takes an important legislative step towards implementing the EU Plastics Strategy presented on 16 January 2018.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/water-quality-8th-parliamentary-term_9403_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Water quality

The drinking water directive achieved the update of a list of parameters to monitor drinking water, in line with technical and scientific progress. The vote on this report, adopted on 28 March 2019, closes Parliament’s first reading, which reached its position in October 2018.
Two other aspects include the importance of transparency for citizens and consumers as regards water quality, and the improvement of accessibility to drinking water for everyone.

#EUelections2019 - Drinking water quality

Parliament debate  its recommendations ahead of the European Commission’s water resilience strategy.

MEPs discuss and vote on a draft report, prepared by the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, detailing how the EU should manage its water resources more efficiently and respond better to current challenges. The resulting resolution will serve as Parliament input to the European water resilience strategy soon to be put forward by the Commission.

The text calls for the introduction of sectoral targets for water efficiency and water abstraction (taking water from a surface or underground source), and highlights the need for adequate funding, better use of digital tools and artificial intelligence solutions. MEPs may also call on the EU to do more to reduce water pollution from pharmaceuticals, chemical pesticides and fertilisers, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, microplastics and chemicals, and to phase out “forever chemicals” (PFAS).

European Water Resilience Strategy

Press conference on the European Water Resilience Strategy

EP Plenary session - European Water Resilience Strategy

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Water legislation

ENVI - Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety - Water directive

Outside view of the COP25 in Madrid on December 14, 2019.

Plenary session - Quality of water intended for human consumption

Plenary session - Minimum requirements for water reuse

MEPs vote on the following files: Paulius Saudargas (ECON A10-0166/2025) - Amending certain financial services and investment support Regulations as regards certain reporting requirements; Tom Berendsen (TRAN A10-0033/2025) - Inland waterway transport: River Information Services (RIS); (TRAN) - Extension of the derogation for heavy-duty vehicles with zero emissions.

Voting Session

Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), Rapporteur, holds a press conference on the European Water Resilience Strategy. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), Rapporteur, on the European Water Resilience Strategy

Votes on the following reports: Mureşan, Tavares (A10-0076/2025) - A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world; Bajada (A10-0073/2025) - The European Water Resilience Strategy; Sánchez Amor (A10-0067/2025) - 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Türkiye; Picula (A10-0072/2025) - 2023 and 2024 reports on Serbia; and Terras (A10-0075/2025) - 2023 and 2024 reports on Kosovo

Votes on reports

This news item presents highlights from the debate and vote on the European Parliament’s recommendations for the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy, along with a statement by Rapporteur Thomas Bajada (S&D, MT). The Parliament adopted its recommendations—expected to guide the European Commission's strategy due before summer 2025—with 470 votes in favour, 81 against, and 92 abstentions. In their report, MEPs call for a bold and comprehensive approach to water management across the EU, aiming to address growing water-related challenges. Key proposals include setting water efficiency targets, enhancing climate adaptation efforts, ensuring sufficient funding for vital water resilience measures, and promoting digitalisation and innovation in the sector.

European Water Resilience Strategy: extracts from the debate, from the vote and statement by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), Rapporteur

MEPs suggest urgent measures to alleviate the impact of droughts, such as higher wastewater reuse, increased water savings in the buildings and industrial sectors and enhanced water efficiency in agriculture. Investments in water storage techniques are also critical to sustaining water supplies during dry periods. Closing statements

The European Water Resilience Strategy: closing statements by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), rapporteur, and Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

MEPs suggest urgent measures to alleviate the impact of droughts, such as higher wastewater reuse, increased water savings in the buildings and industrial sectors and enhanced water efficiency in agriculture. Investments in water storage techniques are also critical to sustaining water supplies during dry periods. MEPs debate

The European Water Resilience Strategy: MEPs debate

MEPs suggest urgent measures to alleviate the impact of droughts, such as higher wastewater reuse, increased water savings in the buildings and industrial sectors and enhanced water efficiency in agriculture. Investments in water storage techniques are also critical to sustaining water supplies during dry periods. Opening statements by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), rapporteur, and Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The European Water Resilience Strategy: opening statements by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), rapporteur, and Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

This infoclip shows illustrative footage on water resilience. Announced by the Commission for the second quarter of 2025, the European Water Resilience Strategy aims to address, inter alia, growing water scarcity by improving water management practices, increasing water efficiency and promoting sustainable water use.The European Parliament has taken several initiatives calling for sustainable water policy as strategic priority. Following the public hearing "The way to a European Water Resilience Strategy - an EU Blue Deal" organised in January 2025, ENVI has prepared a report ahead of the upcoming Commission's Strategy. The report aims to deliver a basis for a comprehensive strategy, including binding legislation, and addresses water resilience through six key pillars: water efficiency, pollution mitigation, climate adaptation, funding, digitalisation and innovation, and cross-border cooperation.

water policy (T)

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