New rules for urban wastewater management come into force in the EU

On January 1, the revised Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive came into force.

The new rules for wastewater systems will ensure better protection of human health and the environment from harmful emissions from urban wastewater, as well as cleaner rivers, lakes, groundwater and coasts across Europe.

Updated rules

The Directive applies to more areas, including small agglomerations of 1,000 inhabitants or less. More nutrients will be removed from urban wastewater, and new standards for micropollutants are introduced.

From now on, monitoring of microplastics and PFAS (the so-called “everlasting chemicals”), as well as parameters related to public health, must be introduced. This includes monitoring antimicrobial resistance, which is a growing public health threat, and several viruses, such as SARS-Covid, to detect signs of epidemics in time. This timely data will help make quick decisions in the event of a public health emergency.

In line with the “polluter pays” principle, the new law will ensure that the costs of advanced treatment methods are covered mainly by the industry concerned, rather than by water tariffs or the state budget. The pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, whose products are the main source of micro-pollutants in wastewater, will have to cover at least 80% of the costs of their removal. This will reduce the financial burden on citizens.

The new rules will contribute to achieving energy and climate neutrality in wastewater management. They will also improve stormwater management in cities, which is becoming increasingly important due to the increase in heavy rainfall events caused by climate change.

For large cities, Member States should systematically develop integrated stormwater management plans to reduce the risks of urban flooding and pollution during heavy rains. Smaller cities should do so if stormwater poses a risk. These plans should identify specific management measures, with priority given to nature-based solutions.

Increased circularity

Circularity is a key element of the revised Directive, which includes new requirements for the recovery of valuable components from wastewater and sludge, such as phosphorus, a critical raw material for the EU. This will allow them to be used in sectors such as agriculture.

In addition, the Directive promotes greater reuse of treated water so that valuable resources are not wasted, helping to protect water supplies in water-scarce regions and reducing the burden on supply chains.

Sanitation for all

The Directive will also ensure access to sanitation in public places for two million of the most vulnerable and marginalized people in the EU. By the end of 2029, Member States must identify vulnerable groups, implement measures to improve their access to sanitation and provide free, safe and hygienic public sanitation facilities in urban areas with a population of at least 10,000 people. This is in line with the requirements of the revised Drinking Water Directive, which guarantees access to water for all.

The EU supports the implementation

To simplify the reporting and processing of wastewater treatment data, the European Environment Agency will provide digital databases for member states. They are no longer required to provide written reports every two years, as they used to, which will reduce the administrative burden.

The revised Directive sets out the legal requirements for wastewater management for the coming decades, giving the water sector certainty for planning. The European Commission will work with Member States to ensure the effective implementation of the Directive and contribute to a water-resilient Europe.

The applicability and binding nature of the new EU Urban Wastewater Directive for Ukraine depends on its arrangements with the European Union, in particular the Association Agreement and the approximation of national environmental legislation to EU law. 

The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement contains provisions on the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with EU environmental standards. Section 6 of the Agreement directly addresses environmental protection, including water management, and Ukraine has committed to implementing EU standards on wastewater treatment as part of the approximation process. This means that the principles and provisions set out in the Directive are not yet automatically binding on Ukraine, but will serve as a guideline or requirement for further integration into EU systems.

The Environmental Strategy of Ukraine and the corresponding action plan contain a schedule of approximation to EU directives, including the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (1991), which Ukraine has partially implemented. Therefore, compliance with the requirements of the updated Directive in 2024 may become recommended or mandatory as part of Ukraine's accession process to the EU.

Main challenges for Ukraine

• Lack of awareness of the new requirements among companies that discharge wastewater and process wastewater. 
• Infrastructure gap: Ukrainian communities still use outdated wastewater treatment facilities. Achieving compliance with modern EU standards will require significant investment and time. 
• Regulatory framework: Ukraine needs to improve its monitoring, reporting and control mechanisms to meet the detailed requirements of the Directive.
• Financial burden: The transition to circularity and the introduction of advanced treatment technologies, as envisaged by the Directive, will require cooperation with international donors and private sector investment.
• The modernization of wastewater treatment facilities will have implications for the formation of wastewater tariffs and will require changes in the regulatory framework, public discussion and public acceptance. 

Conclusion.

The EU Urban Wastewater Directive 2024 is not yet indirectly binding for Ukraine, but it has a significant impact as Ukraine harmonizes its environmental legislation with EU standards. Compliance with these directives is likely to become mandatory as Ukraine progresses toward full EU membership. In addition, the implementation of these standards will contribute to the sustainable development of Ukraine and its integration into European markets and systems.

More on the European Commission website.