Brussels, 05/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - On 19 December 2008, the European Commission adopted a report which shows that, despite the progress made, “a great deal still needs to be done in order to improve water demand management more widely across Europe and to avoid mismanagement of water resources, especially in water-scarce areas”.
The European Commission says that full implementation of the Water Framework Directive by all member states is one of the key imperatives if the issue of water scarcity and drought are to be effectively dealt with in the short term. The adoption of river basin management plans and programmes of measures by the end of 2009 (Articles 11 and 13) will allow a more in-depth analysis of the measures planned at national level to address water quantity issues, including the use of economic instruments.
Water pricing. Member states are committed to delivering water pricing policies that provide adequate incentives to the efficient use of water resources (Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive) by 2010. Some (Cyprus, Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Portugal) are acting to set variable tariffs depending on water availability at local level, the season and/or the level of consumption. Others (the United Kingdom) are conducting reviews and assessing the effectiveness of different types of tariffs in water stress areas.
Progress is being made in water metering. Some member states are drawing up national strategies to ensure the metering of water abstraction in agriculture and proof of public authorisation to abstract (Spain and France), to extend metering to include water abstraction and consumption (Cyprus, France and Portugal), and to introduce possible metering obligations in water stress areas (France and the United Kingdom) or to all households that are part of multi-occupancy buildings (France).
However, all member states still need to take further action. For example, member states are required to implement systematic control over water abstraction (Article 11 (3)(e) of the Water Framework Directive). The programmes of measures planned for adoption by the end of 2009 will make it possible to check that this is being fully addressed across Europe.
Allocating water more efficiently. The member states most affected by water scarcity and droughts in the past (Cyprus, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom) have made efforts to identify the river basins that are facing quasi-permanent or permanent water scarcity. Only a few member states have taken steps to reduce the pressure on water resources, such as a ban on increases in water abstraction in overexploited areas (Spain and France), assessment of the volumes that can be sustainably abstracted and a review of abstraction authorisations (France and the United Kingdom) and an obligation to put in place collective irrigation organisations in charge of limiting and distributing abstraction volumes among irrigators (from 2011 in France). There is currently little evidence that land use challenges are being fully integrated into water management decisions taken by member states. Further steps need to be taken urgently at all levels, according to the Commission.
Some member states (Cyprus, France and the Netherlands) have put in place schemes to support the purchase of rain water harvesting and waste water re-use equipment in public and private buildings or aquifer recharge.
Drought management. Some member states are putting in place drought plans prepared by their water companies (the United Kingdom) or national drought plans (Cyprus and France). Other measures, such as the setting up of a system to predict and manage droughts, are planned (Portugal). However, only a few member states have taken action. The Commission's Joint Research Centre is developing a drought observatory and early warning system. In cooperation with member states, the European Environment Agency (EEA) contributes to the identification of relevant water scarcity and drought indicators. An initial set of parameters is currently being developed. The 2009 annual work programme of the Mechanism for Civil Protection will address the issue of forest fires. The Commission is currently developing Community strategies to improve preparedness and prevention of natural or man-made disasters, including droughts.
Water efficient technologies. A study carried out by the Commission in September 2007 indicates that there is potential for water savings of 40% in Europe. This would require significant changes in the way that water is distributed and used in order to develop water savings to the largest possible extent. Only a few member states have introduced minimum water requirements in their building regulations (Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) or national building standards (Denmark, Germany and Spain). Others have introduced specific water management requirements for future “high environmental quality” buildings (France). The steps taken to reduce leaks in water networks include systematic and regular external audits of leakage levels (Austria), the introduction of incentives to encourage water companies to bring leakages below a certain level (10% in Denmark), the introduction of preconditions of minimum performance in existing networks for the delivery of public funding for new water supply networks (France), online publication of the performance of networks in each municipality (under development in France), and the introduction of water company targets with possible fines if targets are not met (the United Kingdom).
The report also indicates that most member states have conducted information and education campaigns to raise public awareness of issues surrounding water availability. It says that a number of ongoing projects related to the 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Implementation (AQUASTRESS, RECLAIM WATER, GABARDINE, MEDINA, MEDESOL, PLEIADeS and FLOW AID) are delivering scientific and technological progress to the problem of water scarcity and drought. It is expected that the outcome of these projects will be of use as water stress mitigation options. (L.C./transl.rt)