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Urban wastewater treatment

TA-9-2023-0355 · P9_TA(2023)0355 · PE745.327

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Parliament's amended version of the proposed urban wastewater treatment directive sets rules on collecting, treating and discharging urban wastewater, and on access to sanitation, transparency and public health surveillance. It lowers the threshold for covered agglomerations to 750 population equivalent and requires secondary, tertiary and quaternary treatment by set deadlines. It introduces extended producer responsibility for producers of products containing micro-pollutants, complemented by national financing of no more than 20%. It requires energy neutrality, greenhouse gas monitoring, sludge nutrient recovery, water reuse and integrated management plans, and strengthens public information and compensation rights.

Key points

  1. The directive covers collection, treatment and discharge of urban wastewater, access to sanitation for all, transparency and public health surveillance, and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the circular economy.
  2. The scope covers agglomerations of 750 population equivalent and above, which must be connected to centralised collecting systems; individual systems are allowed only where they give the same level of health and environmental protection.
  3. Secondary treatment is required for agglomerations of 750 to 2 000 population equivalent by 31 December 2032, with a possible derogation for cold-climate waters reaching at least 40% reduction.
  4. Tertiary treatment is required for plants of 100 000 population equivalent and above by 31 December 2038, and for agglomerations of 10 000 population equivalent and above discharging into eutrophication-sensitive areas by 31 December 2043.
  5. Quaternary treatment is required for plants of 150 000 population equivalent and above by ten years after entry into force, and for smaller agglomerations discharging into areas listed as at risk from micro-pollutants.
  6. Producers placing products containing micro-pollutants on the market must take extended producer responsibility, covering quaternary treatment costs, complemented by national financing of no more than 20%.
  7. Member States must ensure energy neutrality of wastewater treatment plants of 10 000 population equivalent and above, with interim targets of 50% by 31 December 2033 and 75% by 31 December 2036.
  8. Member States must set national targets to reduce wastewater leakage by 31 December 2035 and ensure the wastewater sector is climate neutral by 2050.
  9. Member States must promote water reuse, set up national water saving and reuse plans, and may temporarily exempt reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation from tertiary treatment under conditions.
  10. Member States must ensure access to sanitation for all, in particular vulnerable and marginalised groups, and encourage free sanitation facilities in public spaces and buildings.
  11. Member States must manage sludge in line with the waste hierarchy, set quality standards, and recover phosphorus and nitrogen; the Commission must set minimum recovery rates.
  12. Member States must provide public online information on wastewater collection and treatment, and individuals affected by violations have the right to claim compensation.

Who is affected

  • Member States and their competent authorities, which must implement treatment requirements, monitoring, planning and reporting.
  • Producers placing products containing micro-pollutants on the market, who must join producer responsibility organisations and pay contributions.
  • Urban wastewater treatment plant operators, who must monitor discharges, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Vulnerable and marginalised groups, who must be given access to sanitation.
  • The Commission, which must adopt delegated acts, guidelines and reports on implementation.

Figures and deadlines

  • 750 population equivalent, the threshold for agglomerations covered by collection and treatment requirements.
  • 31 December 2032, deadline for secondary treatment for agglomerations of 750 to 2 000 population equivalent.
  • 31 December 2038, deadline for tertiary treatment for plants of 100 000 population equivalent and above.
  • 31 December 2043, deadline for tertiary treatment for agglomerations of 10 000 population equivalent and above discharging into eutrophication-sensitive areas.
  • 150 000 population equivalent, the threshold for quaternary treatment by ten years after entry into force.
  • 50% by 31 December 2033 and 75% by 31 December 2036, interim targets for renewable energy production by wastewater treatment plants.
  • 20%, the maximum share of national financing complementing extended producer responsibility.
  • 2 tonnes per year, the quantity below which producers may be exonerated from extended producer responsibility.

Legal basis: Article 191(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union