Resources - Position papers

Microplastics can enter the water cycle in many ways and are not entirely biodegradable. They can accumulate and could pose a threat to our water resources and ecosystems. Control at source is essential for microplastics to prevent them from entering the environment. We need extended producer responsibility. Additional treatment steps exist which will lead to increased tariffs for consumers.

Increased treatment to provide consumers with clean water means increased consumer costs.

Phosphorus is a scarce yet vital resource. Recycling phosphorus from sewage sludge in fertiliser products promotes recycling and is better for the environment.

Protecting groundwater sources from contamination is vital for ensuring a supply of clean and safe drinking water for us now and for our future generations. EurEau insists on the proper implementation EU legislation so as to protect health and the environment

Residues of pharmaceutical products are known to occur widely in the aquatic environment of industrialized countries. The primary path to the environment for human drugs is domestic wastewater. This paper discusses the substances from pharmaceutical residues found in the aquatic environment and their concentrations throughout member states. 

The results indicate that the pattern of detectable compounds is quite similar all over Europe. This problem can be solved only on a global scale by promoting international chemicals safety and developing appropriate countermeasures.

Access to clean water is essential for our health. EurEau members provide consumers with water that meet some of the world’s strictest standards, every day.

Pharmaceuticals products are essential to our society’s health and their use is likely to increase in the future due to a growing ageing population. We want to prevent pharmaceuticals from entering the water cycle in the first place. If this is not possible, EurEau insists on the proper implementation EU legislation so as to protect health, the environment and protect consumers from additional costs.

WSPs help ensure safe drinking water for all.

Customers and citizens need a much greater understanding of the value of water, including water pricing policies and the governance of water services, namely which players are involved, who takes the decisions on how water services are managed and who is responsible for what. Achieving this will help ensure access to safe and sustainable water today and tomorrow.

Cadmium in residual products from waste water treatment plants reduces their ability to be recycled and reused. By banning the use of cadmium in paints and other products, we open the doors to better recycling and better environments.

Water is life. EurEau members provide consumers with water that meet some of the world’s strictest standards, every day. Pricing policies and affordability mechanisms play a fundamental role in this.

Phosphorus is a scarce yet vital resource. Recycling phosphorus from sewage sludge in fertiliser products promotes recycling and is better for the environment

Banning mercury will help sludge from waste water treatment meet the quality standards to be reused in fertilisers, improving the environment.

Recycling sewage sludge in fertiliser products promotes recycling and is better for the environment.

Technical difficulties and administrative burdens could mean negative consequences for the functioning of the drinking and waste water infrastructure to the expense of public health, the environment and thus lead to increased costs for water users and public authorities.

Plastics can enter the water cycle in many ways and are not entirely biodegradable. They can accumulate and could pose a threat to our water resources and ecosystems. Plastics need to be prevented from entering the environment in the first place. We need extended producer responsibility. Additional treatment steps exist which will lead to increased tariffs for consumers.

Innovation and preparing for the future.

Protecting water sources from contamination is vital for ensuring a supply of clean and safe drinking water for us now and for our future generations. EurEau insists on the proper implementation EU legislation so as to protect health and the environment.

Agriculture and water are interrelated: there is an undeniably strong link between agricultural activities and the water sector on the other. Protecting water sources from contamination is vital for ensuring a supply of clean and safe drinking water for us now and for our future generations. EurEau insists on the proper implementation EU legislation so as to protect health and the environment.