Challenges Lie Ahead for the incoming Commissioners, Including Delivering on the Promised Water Resilience Initiative

The European Parliament’s approval of the new College of Commissioners marks the first step on a long road towards delivering on the Commission’s Strategic Agenda goals.

EurEau welcomes the approval of Swedish politician Jessika Roswall as European Commissioner for the environment, water resilience and circular economy. One of her immediate priorities must be making the long-awaited European Water Resilience Initiative a reality and ensuring that the protection of water resources is taken into account in all legislative initiatives.

Commenting on the vote, EurEau Secretary General Oliver Loebel stated “Water resources are under greater pressure than ever before, with increasing competition from industry, agriculture, tourism, and public water supply. We urge the EU to place water at the heart of European policy. Establishing a long-term European water resilience strategy and a cohesive EU policy framework is crucial to ensuring that every individual, business, and industry can access reliable, safe drinking water and wastewater services—today and for generations to come.”

Commissioner Roswall faces additional significant challenges during her term. A critical task will be addressing the issue of PFAS, or "forever chemicals,” together with the Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra.

The European water sector faces multiple challenges and opportunities many of which are linked to new EU requirements for drinking water and wastewater. EurEau calls on the new Commission to support continuous EU funding to ensure that water services are accessible and affordable for everyone, as well as resilient in the light of climate change and geopolitical developments.  

We look forward to working with Commissioner Roswell and all the incoming Commissioners and their teams to continue delivering safe and affordable water services to consumers across Europe.