Water

Overview

Clean water is the driving force of life. It is an essential resource for people and nature, and for regulating the climate. It is also crucial for the economy, agriculture and energy production. Water faces many pressures, including pollution from industrial chemicals, pesticides, nutrients and pharmaceuticals, and climate change.

EU water policy is one of the cornerstones of environmental protection. The rules protect water resources, fresh and saltwater ecosystems, and ensure our drinking and bathing water is clean. In the context of the European Green Deal, the Water Framework Directive provides the main foundation and objectives for water policy in Europe.

In her 2024-2029 Political Guidelines, President von der Leyen announced a new European Water Resilience Strategy to ensure that water sources are properly managed, scarcity is addressed, and the competitive and innovative edge of our water industry is enhanced while also taking a more circular approach.

In line with this, the Commission launched a call for evidence to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to share input and help design the future strategy, which is expected later this year.

In the EU

Only 37%

of surface water bodies achieve good ecological status

85%

of bathing water sites are of excellent quality

Over 90%

of urban wastewater is dealt with in line with EU standards

Objectives

The EU’s main aim is to ensure that all Europeans have access to good quality and sufficient water, and to guarantee the good status of all water bodies across Europe. EU rules aim to ensure that water is managed sustainably in the long-term, water pollution is reduced, and aquatic ecosystems are protected.

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.