Parliament proposes blueprint to safeguard water resources
Access to water should be a fundamental and universal right, according to a non-binding resolution voted by the European Parliament on Tuesday. Clearer water pricing schemes, better wastewater management, blue flags for rivers and attaching water-saving conditions to farming and energy subsidies are among the suggestions tabled by MEPs.
Water "is a shared resource of humankind and a public good. Access to water should constitute a fundamental and universal right", says the resolution, drafted by Richard Seeber (EPP, AT) and approved by a show of hands.
Reducing water consumption should therefore be a priority, MEPs say. They insist on the need for an audit of the state of Europe's water network, "given the possibility that as much as 70% of the water supplied to European cities is lost as a result of leaks in the water system", and stress the need "to encourage infrastructure investments". They also recall that about 20% of water in the EU is lost due to inefficiency.
Transparent pricing schemes
The resolution calls on the European Commission and member states to use pricing schemes to apply the "polluter pays" and "user pays" principles. However, social issues should be taken into account when setting water tariffs, it adds.
Subsidies with a negative impact on water should be revised and the granting of EU funds to water sector or water-intensive activities should depend on water management plans being in place, say MEPs.
Wastewater management, blue flags for rivers
An environmentally and economically sound water sanitation and wastewater management policy should tackle pollution at the source and incentivise wider use of wastewater, say MEPs. Water metering should be made binding across all sectors and for all users. The EU "blue flag" scheme used on beaches to show water is safe should be extended to all bathing areas in Europe, including rivers and lakes, MEPs suggest.
Shale gas
As shale gas exploration and extraction pose "significant risks" to surface and groundwater posed by shale gas exploration and extraction, MEPs urge the European Commission to ensure that these activities are preceded by an environmental impact assessment.
Next steps
The resolution is an input to a "blueprint to safeguard Europe's water resources" which the European Commission is to publish in November.
Procedure: non-legislative resolution