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Position Papers
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Brussels, 9 March 1998
Position on Water Policy
In the light of forthcoming debates on the Commission Proposal's of 26 February 1997 to establish a Framework Directive for Community Action in the field of Water Policy (COM(97)49), EURO COOP wishes to raise a number of general points that should be considered in the promotion and establishment of a sustainable water policy, which responds to consumers' interests.
In EURO COOP's opinion a sustainable water policy should:
- provide for the conservation of both the quantity and quality of water resources;
- ensure sustainable water consumption, at all levels of consumption;
- guarantee all water users access to clean water;
- avoid a particular use of water resources which could compromise the same or future area of the watershed.
In order to ensure that a Directive on water policy makes a real contribution to environment protection and consumer protection; EURO COOP calls for a Directive that includes the following measures:
- a clear definition of the level of water quality and quantity required to satisfy the objectives of a sustainable water policy, based on a global consideration of the hydrological basins and respecting the requirements and availability of the sub-basins, according to scientific criteria and studies;
- uses charges for water use as a method for promoting water saving, while taking into consideration the social realities of this method. Adequate provision must be made to guarantee that water requirements for basic needs are satisfied in low-income groups;
- bases charges for water use on the user-pays principle, instead of the polluter-pays principle, to avoid situations in which the final consumer may have to pay for treatment to the water. Or, alternatively, combines the polluter-pays principle with a "user fee" to internalise costs;
- considers the notion of defining water as a universal service. This would guarantee access to water, at affordable prices;
- elaborates instruments for cooperation with non-EU countries in the implementation of a sustainable water policy;
- sets out sanctions against Member States for the mismanagement and waste of water resources;
- a time-scale that imposes obligations on Member States in the short-term. Euro Coop believes that concrete action should not be postponed until after the turn of the century;
- considers salt waters specifically or eliminates the term fresh water whenever surface waters are mentioned, in order to guarantee the consideration of important ecosystems in Southern and Eastern Europe which are key factors in the regulation of hydrological dynamics.
EURO COOP notes that, in particular, water users must be actively involved in the development of the Directive. Its preparation and implementation should be monitored by consultative bodies, comprising consumers, socio-economic, environmental and agricultural organisations, scientists etc. In addition a public database should be created to centralise all information about water in each country. This should be regularly up-dated, to enable the general public have comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge about the water in their area.
According to EURO COOP the Directive should also encourage the use of publicity campaigns to promote sustainable water consumption. Consumers must be informed and educated on how to adopt sustainable consumption habits. Their individual responsibility for the management of water resources must be explained.
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