On Tuesday 23 October in Strasbourg, the European Parliament voted by a narrow majority (300 votes to 98, with 274 abstentions) in favour of revising the 1998 European Drinking Water Directive.
MEPs want to improve the quality of tap water, promote access for all European citizens to clean and safe water, and better inform consumers about data that will encourage them to drink tap water with confidence, which is much cheaper than bottled water and better for the environment.
Less lead and other toxic substances, such as endocrine disrupters and substances that contain perfluoroalkyl, and an incentive to provide free water in public places and restaurants are among the key measures voted.
The proposal to update a twenty-year-old text was necessary to adapt the quality parameters to the latest scientific data, take into account emerging substances and propose a new risk assessment method to prevent the dangers and risks of pollutants earlier.
All agreed on this, and all recognised the need to respond to the Right2water European Citizens' Initiative, although part of the Chamber - the Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL and ELDD groups - considers that, in the absence of legally binding measures for Member States, the EP has not provided the appropriate response to this citizens' initiative signed by more than 1.8 million citizens (see EUROPE 12122).
"It is understood that everyone should have access to safe and good quality drinking water, and we should do everything in our power to make it as affordable as possible for everyone", said rapporteur Michel Dantin (EPP) of France. He was given a mandate to open negotiations with the EU Council.
"Citizens are demanding that we provide them with enough quality water at an affordable cost. The cost must be kept in mind", said Mr Dantin, deploring in particular that municipalities are subject to the same level of constraint as Member States. "It will make negotiations with the Council more difficult", he warned.
Water quality. The voted text is very close to the position of the EP Environment Committee: the limit value for perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) would be slightly tightened, the limit value for lead would have to be halved, and the limit values for certain endocrine disrupters (bisphenol A and beta-estradiol) would be strengthened, while microplastics would be added to the list of substances subject to monitoring (see EUROPE 12093).
Michel Dantin expressed his disappointment that the parliamentary position goes further than the WHO recommendations for lead. And for microplastics and endocrine disrupters, for which environmental problems are known even if the WHO does not have a position on their dangerousness to humans, the EPP group would have been satisfied with simple monitoring.
Access to water. Parliament believes that Member States should take action to provide universal access to drinking water in the EU and to improve access to water in cities and public spaces, by installing free fountains where technically feasible and proportionate.
Similarly, Member States should encourage the free (or low-cost) provision of tap water in restaurants, canteens and catering services.
While universal access is finally mentioned, the Green, GUE/NGL and ELDD groups believe that the text does not go far enough, as it does not guarantee that universal access is provided by all Member States and protect vulnerable and poor populations, particularly from any water cuts.
"Water is a universal good, certainly. But whether we want it or not, the treatment and transport of quality water has a cost that must not be neglected. What I am sure is that the vast majority of European citizens are asking us for access to water for all, which requires cost control, expenditure control to enable everyone to consume as much good quality water and water as they want", the rapporteur had pointed out the day before during the plenary debate. And to invite his colleagues not to engage in overbidding when it comes to chemical data.
The European Commissioner for the Environment, Karmenu Vella, reiterated the importance of adopting the proposal on the table before the European elections in May 2019. He assured Parliament and the Council of his support in ensuring that European citizens enjoy the highest protection in the decades to come. (Original in version in French by Aminata Niang with Lucas Tripoteau)