On Thursday, 28 March, in Strasbourg, the European Parliament concluded — in no time at all — its first reading of the recast of the 1998 directive on water intended for human consumption with the aim of adapting quality parameters to WHO standards and promoting universal access to safe tap water in response to the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Right2Water’.
By a show of hands, MEPs confirmed their October vote, which notably provides for a reduction of lead (by half) and other toxic substances, such as endocrine disrupters and perfluoroalkyl substances, as well as encouragement to provide free or low-cost water in public places and restaurants (see EUROPE 12123/3).
In so doing, the Parliament has adopted its official position for lack of being able to enter into negotiations with the EU Council, which reached a decision too late (see EUROPE 12207/2).
“With a clear timetable, the European Parliament has shown that it is able to rise to the expectations of European citizens, ready to negotiate the text as early as November in order to reach an interinstitutional agreement before the end of the mandate. Despite all the Romanian Presidency’s efforts to make up for the delay in the EU Council by presenting a general approach at the Council of Ministers on 5 March 2019 [...] the Parliament no longer has sufficient leeway to open interinstitutional negotiations before the European elections”, stated rapporteur Michel Dantin (EPP, France) on the eve of the vote.
It will be up to the incoming Finnish Presidency of the Council to negotiate with the Parliament resulting from the elections on this legislation, which could increase confidence in tap water quality and help households save money and reduce plastic waste. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)