Leaked Water Resilience Strategy: Many positive elements but shifting PFAS burden to water service providers

The Water Resilience Strategy due to be presented on 4 June is likely to contain many positive elements, according to a leaked version. The document rightly prioritises nature-based solutions and calls for a whole-society approach towards increased water efficiency. EurEau also fully subscribes to efforts stimulating innovation and digitalisation, strengthening governance, investment and skills development. As most measures are non-legislative, their real impact remains to be seen.

According to the Forever Pollution project, decontaminating Europe will cost up to €100 billion per year if PFAS are not banned quickly. Focusing on remediation instead of control-at-source will therefore negatively affect Europe’s competitiveness and resilience.