Divisions over revision of EU water standards

UK leads concerns over plans.

Disputes are delaying the introduction of new EU water standards. A directive updating the list of chemicals restricted in surface water remains blocked, despite a 13 January deadline for a proposal.

A final draft of the updated list of restricted ‘water priority substances’ under the Water Framework Directive was ready in December, according to an official involved in the discussions. But it has run into opposition during consultation within the European Commission, because of concerns expressed by member states – particularly the UK. The dossier is understood to have stalled at the desk of Catherine Ashton, the British member of the Commission.

The proposal is expected to add 16 substances to the 33 currently on the list. Prospective additions include the pain relievers ibuprofen and diclofenac, the contraceptive ethinyle-stradiol, and the pesticides quinoxyfen and bifenox. The directive will set environmental quality standards limiting the concentration of these substances in surface water, mainly lakes, rivers and reservoirs.

Cost concerns

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The British industry group Water UK has raised concerns about the list. It says that the extra costs and energy required to treat the water for these substances will be prohibitive and counter-productive. The addition of ibuprofen is particularly controversial, with the EU’s scientific committee on health and environmental risks questioning a study used to justify the limit.

The proposal is expected to emerge within the next two weeks, according to a Commission official.