Renew Europe welcomes the interinstitutional agreement reached on 29 January between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. 

The newly-adopted legislation provides for a steady expansion of urban wastewater collection systems, connecting many more households, while pursuing stricter and more ambitious clean water targets by eliminating the broadest spectrum of pollutants.  

An updated and more ambitious Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive is a key initiative under the EU zero pollution plan for air, water and soil, and will ensure that all citizens in Europe have access to clean and healthy water. 

The revision led by Renew Europe rapporteur Nils Torvalds MEP (SFP, FI) provides answers to many water challenges Europe faces today,for which sustainable solutions need to be rolled out.  

🙏We have a deal!

Today, we reached an agreement on more ambitious rules on wastewater management across all of Europe.

🗞️More detail in our press release with @NilsTorvaldshttps://t.co/taAdPx4mXQ pic.twitter.com/DitdZTyWzW

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) January 29, 2024

"Today, we reached an agreement on more ambitious rules on wastewater management across all of Europe, making sure that micro-pollutants from pharmaceutical cosmetic residues are treated, along with stricter nutrient removal requirements,” said Torvalds. 

“Water is an increasingly scarce resource, and we need to manage it well, also by increasing the reuse of it. Finally, we make sure that pollution from forever chemicals is not only monitored, but also tackled in the next revision – a huge win!" 

Renew Europe welcomes that more efforts will be made on green and blue infrastructure solutions in urban areas to reduce storm water overflows.