The European Commission is publishing its latest reports on the state of water in the European Union.
Covering the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the reports highlight the progress made to improve the state of EU water bodies over the past six years. They also identify key areas where further efforts are needed.
In the WFD report, the EU has made key recommendations to Member States to improve water management by 2027, including:
- Increase compliance with EU water laws by adhering to pollution limits, particularly nutrient pollution from agriculture, and ensuring that wastewater discharge is dealt with properly to protect the environment and human health;
- Ensure sufficient financing to address funding gaps and guarantee effective implementation of water management measures;
- Implement additional measures to address persistent environmental challenges, such as chemical pollution;
- Promote water reuse and increase efficiency and circularity to prevent aquifer overexploitation, combat illegal abstractions, and mitigate droughts.
Photo credit: Toon de Vos
The European Commission has also launched a Call for Evidence for the highly anticipated Water Resilience Strategy, marking a pivotal step towards addressing Europe’s water challenges. This initiative reflects a growing demand for enhanced action from Member States, EU institutions, and key stakeholders across the continent.
The Call for Evidence focuses on two critical areas:
These Calls aim to shape future water policies that strengthen water efficiency, resilience, and sustainability across the EU. The feedback period is open until 4 March 2025. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide insights to help frame strategic water management solutions.