Brussels,

Water​

​Ensuring the protection of the EU's water resources and ecosystems while guaranteeing access to clean drinking and bathing water for all Europeans.

Water is vital for life, supporting human, natural, and climate systems, and is indispensable for the economy, agriculture, and energy production. However, water resources face numerous threats, including pollution from industrial chemicals, pesticides, nutrients, pharmaceuticals, and climate change impacts.

EU water policy stands as a fundamental pillar of environmental protection within the union. It encompasses regulations that safeguard both freshwater and marine ecosystems and ensure the cleanliness of the water used for drinking and bathing. Under the European Green Deal, the Water Framework Directive serves as the primary legislative framework guiding water policy and setting objectives across Europe.

The primary goal of EU water policy is to ensure that all Europeans have access to water of good quality and in sufficient quantity. It also strives to maintain and enhance the good ecological status of all water bodies in Europe. To achieve this, EU regulations focus on sustainable water management practices, reducing water pollution, and preserving aquatic ecosystems.
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  • Only 40% of surface water bodies achieve good ecological status
  • Almost 85% of bathing water sites are of excellent quality
  • Over 90%​ of urban wastewater is dealt with in line with EU standards

Specific Policies

  • Bathing water - EU rules to ensure clean and high-quality bathing water across Europe
  • Drinking water - Improving access to drinking water for all
  • Floods - EU measures to manage flood risk and the risks floods pose to human health and the environment.
  • Groundwater - EU action to ensure good quantity and quality of groundwater
  • Marine waters - EU action to protect Europe’s coasts, seas and oceans.
  • Nitrates - Protecting waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources
  • Surface water - EU rules protecting surface waters from chemical pollution.  
  • Urban wastewater - EU rules to ensure that urban wastewater is properly dealt with
  • Water Reuse - Managing water resources more efficiently and facilitating water reuse in the EU
  • Water scarcity and droughts - Preventing and mitigating water scarcity and droughts in the EU​
  • EU efforts on the global water agenda - It is essential to sustain the political momentum of the UN 2023 Water Conference, to accelerate actions for clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Actions
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  • Implementation - See how EU countries implement the Water Framework Directive.
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Tools and instruments