Minimum requirements for water reuse

water reuse
water reuse © shutterstock

On 28 May 2018, the Commission put forward a legislative proposal seeking to incentivise the reuse of treated waste water (also called 'reclaimed water'), while ensuring a high level of protection of health and the environment. The proposal aims to contribute to alleviating water scarcity in the EU by increasing water reuse, which remains below its potential. To do so, the proposal seeks to ensure that reclaimed water is safe for its intended use.

On 12 February 2019, Parliament adopted its position at first reading. Trilogue negotiations concluded on 2 December 2019, and on 4 May 2020, the negotiated text was approved in Committee. Following this, Parliament adopted the text on 13 May 2020.

The regulation is intended to stimulate market uptake, as it would be directly applicable to businesses, and to come into force faster than an amendment to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. The proposal would apply solely to water reused for agricultural irrigation, as this area has the highest potential for an increased uptake of water reuse.

Rapporteur

Simona BONAFÈ (S&D)

Shadow Rapporteurs: EPP: Pernille WEISS (EPP), Jan HUITEMA (RE), Grace O'SULLIVAN (Greens/EFSA), Sylvia LIMMER (ID), Pietro FIOCCHI (ECR), Idoia VILLANUEVA RUIZ (GUE/NGL)