Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive: Council adopts new rules for more efficient treatment.
On the 5th of November, the Council of the European Union adopted a revised EU directive on urban wastewater treatment.
The new regulations focus on enhanced efficiency, addressing emerging pollutants, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting energy efficiency in wastewater management. Key elements include stricter discharge limits, monitoring of new pollutants like microplastics, and adopting advanced treatment technologies. The measures aim to protect water resources, align with climate goals, and support sustainable urban infrastructure across member states. More specifically, EU countries will be required to promote the reuse of treated wastewater from all urban wastewater treatment plants where appropriate, especially in water-stressed areas.
