European Parliament Approves New Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
On the 10th April 2024, the European Parliament voted to approve the new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, a measure aimed at enhancing urban wastewater standards in Europe. The vote concluded with 481 in favor, 79 against, and 26 abstentions. This approval follows an agreement reached with the Council in January 2024, marking a significant step in efforts to improve public health and environmental protection across the continent.
The agreement seeks to achieve several objectives in the wastewater sector. These include transitioning the sector to energy neutrality at the national level, addressing micropollutants in wastewater, improving the management of storm water overflow via comprehensive urban wastewater management plans, and expanding the current Directive to include all urban areas with populations exceeding 1,000 residents.
The full text of the directive and related documentation is available at this link.