Hybrid Event: Revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive: Just wasted water or a sustainable resource?

Thursday 9th March 2023, 13:45 – 15:30 CET

Hybrid event held at the European Parliament (JAN 6Q1) & online

Hosted by MEP Christophe Hansen

EVENT REGISTRATION:

• The registration for physical participation to the event is now closed.
• If you would like to join the event online, please fill in the Online Attendance Registration Form.

Directive 91/271 on Urban waste water treatment (UWWTD) has succeeded in reducing pollution from wastewater and contributing to the ecological and chemical status of the European water bodies, even if good status is yet not achieved everywhere in accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC. After thirty years, the UWWTD has to be revised to tackle remaining pollution, better align it with the overarching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the European Green Deal and to enhance the governance of the wastewater sector. 

The proposal for a recast UWWTD, presented by the European Commission in October 2022, shows the way for the wastewater sector to become energy, resource and climate neutral while improving environmental protection. However, very substantial investments will be needed to fulfil the new objectives and requirements. Hence, the implementation will only be successful if three conditions are met: effective control-at-source measures to reduce treatment needs, sufficient time to implement innovative solutions and ensuring sufficient financing to pay for the investments. 

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety is currently preparing the European Parliament’s first reading position. Therefore, this event will offer lawmakers the opportunity to learn about the recommendations of different stakeholders including policy-makers, regulators, NGOs and water operators. It will explore the key elements of the proposed Directive, identify priorities for investment and discuss drivers for successful implementation. 

FINAL  AGENDA:

13:45 – 13:55:                        Welcome remarks by MEP Christophe Hansen

13:55 – 14:05:                        Presentation of the Proposal for a revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) by Silvia Bartolini, Head of C2 Unit on “Marine Environment and Clean Water Services”, DG ENV, European Commission

14:05 – 14:15:                        Intervention by MEP Nils Torvalds, EP Rapporteur for the UWWTD recast

14:15 – 14:35:             Reactions from stakeholders (5’ per speaker) on challenges & opportunities ahead:

• Professor Andrea Guerrini, President, WAREG
• Sara Johansson, Senior Policy Officer for Water Pollution Prevention, EEB
• Åsa Ågren Wikström, Member of Västerbotten County Council & Rapporteur on the opinion on the Revision of the UWWTD, Committee of the Regions (CoR)
• Michaël Bentvelsen, Co-Chair of the Wastewater Committee, EurEau

14:35 – 14:40:                        Reaction by MEP Marek Paweł Balt, EP Shadow Rapporteur for the UWWTD recast

14:40 – 15:25:                          Q&A session with the audience

15:25 – 15:30:             Closing remarks by MEP Christophe Hansen