Eighth report on the implementation status and the programmes for implementation of Council Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste water treatment

Uncollected and untreated wastewater generated by the EU's 500 million inhabitants is a major source of pollution that affects quality of fresh and marine waters and presents a risk to human health and biodiversity.

The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive establishes minimum requirements for collection and treatment of urban wastewater and is one of the key policy instruments under the EU water acquis. Implementation of the UWWTD since its adoption in 1991 has, in particular, significantly reduced discharges of major pollutants such as organic load and nutrients, main drivers for eutrophication in waters. However, implementation is still far from complete. Some of the Member States that joined the EU in 2004 or later face important compliance gaps.

Implementation is challenging due to financial and planning aspects linked to the construction of waste water infrastructure. To help meet these challenges, the EU dedicated a significant amount of funding under the EU Cohesion Policy funds (€17.8 billion in the 2007-2013 programming period, which is still subject to changes). Investments in infrastructure lead, directly and indirectly, to economic growth and employment and therefore contribute to one of the key priorities of the current Commission to boost jobs, growth and investment.

This report combines for the first time data reported by Member States on collection and treatment of urban waste water and on implementation programmes. This gives a clear view on the compliance gaps and the intended action by Member States to fill those gaps, as well as the estimated investment needs and timelines to meet them.

EUR-Lex: SWD(2016)45: Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the report http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2016:045:FIN

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