According to the European Commission’s Environmental Implementation Review (EIR), tackling water quality is one of the three main challenges facing the UK.
The report on the UK is one of 28 country reports on Member States published as part of the EIR, which is a new tool, intended to improve implementation of European environmental policy and commonly agreed rules.
According to the Commission, there are major problems in water quality and management, with nitrates concentrations and eutrophication levels still being a serious issue. Most Member States are still struggling to reach full compliance on collection and treatment of urban wastewater; 13 Member States are also facing EU legal action.
The three key challenges facing the UK are:
- Tackling water quality, notably agricultural pollution (nitrates);
- Urban waste water issues such as storm water overflows, together with improving air quality in urban areas; and
- Completing the Natura 2000 designation process for marine sites
Diffuse pollution affects 68% of water bodies, flow regulation and morphological alterations affect 45% and point sources of pollution affect 44% of water bodies. Apart from those problems, there is also inefficient river management which negatively affects 30% of water bodies and abstraction, which affects around 14% of water bodies.
According to the Commission, full implementation of EU environment legislation could save the EU economy €50 billion every year in health costs and direct costs to the environment.
Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, said:
“Patchy and uneven implementation of environmental rules helps no one. Improving how environmental laws are applied benefits citizens, public administrations and the economy. This is where the Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) comes in. The European Commission is committed to helping Member States make sure that the quality of their citizens’ air, water and waste management is of the highest standard. This Review provides the information, the tools and the timetable to do this“.
Get bottled water cooler and mains water cooler from Living-Water.
