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DRAFT REPORT (COM(2022)0541 – C96363/2022 – 2022/0345(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning urban wastewater treatment (recast)

ENVI-PR-745327

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Nils Torvalds

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This is the rapporteur's draft report on the Commission proposal for a directive on urban wastewater treatment (recast). It adopts a first-reading position with amendments that lower the threshold for covered agglomerations to 500 population equivalent, tighten nutrient removal targets, and share extended producer responsibility with national financing programmes. The amendments also require Member States to identify whether eutrophic areas are phosphorus- or nitrogen-sensitive, allow flexibility in meeting energy neutrality targets, and call on the Commission to assess extending producer responsibility to PFAS.

Committee position. The rapporteur generally welcomes the Commission proposal but proposes amendments to lower the agglomeration threshold to 500 p.e., adjust nutrient reduction targets, share extended producer responsibility with national financing programmes, allow flexibility in energy neutrality, and assess extending producer responsibility to PFAS.

Key points

  1. The report adopts Parliament's first-reading position on the proposed urban wastewater treatment directive, taking into account the Consultative Working Party's recommendations.
  2. It calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal.
  3. The amendments lower the scope threshold from 1 000 to 500 population equivalent for collection, secondary treatment and related obligations.
  4. Member States must identify whether eutrophication-sensitive areas are phosphorus- or nitrogen-sensitive and update the list every five years.
  5. The amendments raise the total phosphorus reduction target to 90% by 31 December 2035 and 95% by 31 December 2040, while lowering the total nitrogen target to 70% and 75% respectively.
  6. Extended producer responsibility is shared with the public through national financing programmes for quaternary treatment, financed by national funding, municipal levies, water tariffs and producers.
  7. The exemption from producer responsibility applies to products placed on the Union market below 2 tonnes per year.
  8. Energy audits of treatment plants and collecting systems must be carried out every four years and include identification of waste heat recovery and renewable energy potential.
  9. Renewable energy generated on or off-site, or bought from external sources, counts towards the energy neutrality target for plants treating 10 000 p.e. and above.
  10. Member States must promote reuse of treated wastewater, especially in water-stressed areas and for industrial purposes.
  11. The Commission must report every five years from 1 January 2030 and assess extending producer responsibility to products containing PFAS.
  12. The amendments add digital tools for collecting system design and maintenance, and allow natural nitrogen retention to be taken into account in reduction calculations.

Who is affected

  • Member States, which must apply the lower 500 p.e. threshold, identify nutrient-sensitive areas and set up national financing programmes.
  • Producers of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, who share responsibility for quaternary treatment costs and must join a centralised organisation.
  • Operators of urban wastewater treatment plants, who must conduct energy audits and meet energy neutrality targets.
  • Industries discharging non-domestic wastewater, which must obtain prior authorisation and may face monitoring requirements.

Figures and deadlines

  • 500 population equivalent, the threshold for agglomerations covered by collection and treatment obligations.
  • 31 December 2030, deadline for agglomerations between 500 and 2 000 p.e. to comply with collection and secondary treatment requirements.
  • 31 December 2035, deadline for 90% total phosphorus and 70% total nitrogen reduction.
  • 31 December 2040, deadline for 95% total phosphorus and 75% total nitrogen reduction.
  • 2 tonnes per year, the threshold below which producers are exempt from extended producer responsibility.
  • 10 000 p.e., the load threshold for energy neutrality requirements.
  • 1 January 2030, the date from which the Commission must report every five years.
  • 31 December 2025, deadline for Member States to establish a list of eutrophication-sensitive areas.

Legal basis: Article 294(2) and Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.