Open letter to rapporteur and shadow rapporteurs on the update of the EU water pollution standards in the European Parliament

This letter, signed jointly by NGOs and the water sector, stresses the need for Members of the European Parliament to stop delaying much-needed updates to the EU’s water quality standards.

Two years ago, the European Commission presented its proposal for new quality standards for the EU’s rivers, lakes, coastal waters and groundwaters. The new standards, including for substances like glyphosate, pharmaceuticals and a group of PFAS, would require EU Member States to monitor these substances in water and comply with new legal thresholds.

The file has already suffered severe delays due to inaction of the Swedish presidency, but while other files left over from the last mandate have progressed forward, this one has staggered to a halt since the EU elections this summer. Meanwhile, water pollution across the EU remains unregulated, to the detriment of aquatic life, human health and public budgets.

NGOs and the water sector jointly call on the lead MEPs in the European Parliament to proceed swiftly with the formal approval to start the trilogue negotiations!