Water Consumption: save water where it makes sense.

MEPs want new measures to reduce water consumption in the EU

"Water must be used efficiently. We must reduce overall consumption, in particular in areas with water scarcity." This is how Richard Seeber MEP summarised the goals of Europe's future water policy as Parliament's Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) adopted them today. Mr Seeber, who drafted the text, is the EPP Group's Coordinator in the ENVI Committee. These goals are the base for the review of the EU's current water policy which starts in autumn. "Regional water consumption data must be considered when setting new rules", said Mr Seeber. "One cannot lump together Austria and Spain or private households and industries when it comes to water regulation", explained the Austrian MEP, who is Parliament's negotiator for the new water policy. Mr Seeber wants measures to be both country and sector-specific.

"It is pointless to impose major water reductions on private households as they account for only about 10 percent of total consumption", he stressed. The biggest water consumers by far are energy production (45 percent) and agriculture (33 percent). "Here we can find a huge potential to increase efficiency", said Richard Seeber. In Austria, only 5 percent of available water is withdrawn, whereas in Cyprus it is 55 percent. That is why Member States, depending on their water situation, should be free to choose suitable water-cutting measures. "There will never be a 'one-size-fits-all' water strategy from Finland to Malta which we could impose all over Europe", explained Mr Seeber.

He also stressed that first, all existing rules need to be correctly implemented in the Member States: "The treatment of waste water in particular needs to be improved comprehensively." While 97 percent of the population in Central Europe is connected to the waste water system, in Romania and Bulgaria, only about 40 percent of the population is connected. "There is need for action. The most stringent law is only as good as its implementation", noted Mr Seeber.

After the final vote in plenary in July, the European Commission has to present a corresponding draft legislation.