Brussels, 30/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The conciliation procedure resulted in an agreement between the European Parliament and Council concerning the framework directive on water. The Commission recalls that this directive covers: 1) protection of all surface waters and ground waters; 2) list of pollutants to be controlled; 3) the introduction of water pricing policies; 4) integrated river basin management across administrative and political borders with coordinated programmes of measures.
According to a Parliament press release, the compromise covers: 1) the legally binding nature of the directive; 2) the commitment to eliminate dangerous discharges within 20 years following their identification as dangerous pollutants; 3) presentation by the Commission, within two years, of a "sister" directive on pollution of ground waters; 4) a water pricing principle according to polluter pays principle and the obligation to set in place, by 2010, a pricing system that encourages water resources savings. An exemption in the last aspect would be granted to Ireland, the only Member State to finance the provision of water through taxation.
Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström welcomed in a press release this agreement reached after three years of negotiations.