Together with 16 representatives of civil society organisations and sector associations, NMWE is joining forces to sound the alarm on delayed new EU water pollution standards and attempts to weaken the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Less than 30% of EU surface water bodies are currently meeting good chemical status.

This is putting at risk aquatic ecosystems and access to clean water while also putting pressure on the economy.

Urgent action is needed!

We call on the EU Institutions to:

• Speed-up negotiations and finalize the inter-institutional agreement under the Polish Presidency.
• Ensure Member States are mandated to tackle pollution caused by the newly listed substances in the next River Basin Management Plans (2028-2033).
• Uphold existing water protection rules and oppose new exemptions to the WFD.

Healthy waters are the most precious resource and a key driver of Europe’s resilience and global competitiveness.

Read the open letter here.