Progress on water quality and joined-up management of water to prevent floods, but not enough progress and persistent structural problems such as pollution from farms and insufficient treatment of used water: the general picture of water resource management in Europe is mixed both in terms of quality and in terms of quality, explained the participants at the EU's Fifth Water Conference (Vienna, 20-21 September).
Hence the call for an intensification of efforts to apply current and future EU legislation, tackle pollution from microplastics and medicines and adjust to climate change.
This high-level event was organised by the European Commission and the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU concluded that reinforced joint efforts in policy, law and investments are necessary to preserve and further improve Europe’s waters. A summary of the main lessons:
- Member States need to step up efforts to restore, maintain and improve the state of EU waters, by applying EU water legislation. This requires greater investments in water infrastructure and water-related measures, by using public, private and EU sources.
- the efforts to save the sturgeon in the Danube and the salmon in the Rhine – both flagship species and indicators of good water status – demonstrate how combining political, legal and financial means, including EU funds, at all levels and across borders can yield far-reaching results in terms of restoring habitats and migration routes.
- now that the Commission has begun its ‘fitness check’ of water legislation in the EU, the conclusions drawn at the conference should be made use of by the institution.
In its report on water in Europe, published on 30 August 2018, the European Environment Agency highlighted the need to speed up efforts to improve water quality and del with the triple challenge of pollution, overuse and climate change. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)