Changes between two versions
What changed between the plenary report and the adopted text
From · plenary report· 26 Sept 2023
on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning urban wastewater treatment (recast)
Changes to the text itself, in document order. Cover page, citations and punctuation-only edits are left out; they are under “Every difference”.
The changes · 10
Change 1
Removed:A. whereas, according to the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the Commission proposal does not include any substantive amendments other than those identified as such in the proposal and whereas, as regards the codification of the unchanged provisions of the earlier acts together with those amendments, the proposal contains a straightforward codification of the existing texts, without any change in their substance;
Change 2
Changed:Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16: (16) ‘micro-pollutant’ means a substance as defined by Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, including its breakdown products, that is usually present in the environment and urban wastewaters in concentrations of micrograms per litre, or below, and which can be considered hazardous to health and the environment based on the criteria set out in Part 3 and Part 4 of Annex I to Regulation EC69;Regulation (EC) No 1272/200869; / 69 Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (OJ L 353 31.12.2008, p 1).
Change 3
Removed:The Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee finds that Leakage from sewage pipes is an often overlooked and largely unreported source of untreated wastewater that puts groundwater at risk. This can represent a significant share of the pollution load from urban systems on the environment (point 4.11). Therefore, Member States should aim to reduce leakages from sewers.
Change 4
Changed:Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b: (b) the products they place on the market are rapidly biodegradable in accordance with Part 4.1.2.9.5 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1272/20081a in wastewaters or do not generate micro-pollutants in wastewaters at the end of their life. / 1a Regulation EC(EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixturesmixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (OJ L 353 31.12.2008, p 1).
6 more changes
Change 5
Changed:Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new): (ba) the substances in products placed on the market are rapidly biodegradable in aquatic conditions, in accordance with Part 4.1.2.9.5 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 1a. / 1a Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixturesmixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (OJ L 353 31.12.2008, p 1).
Change 6
Changed:Article 11 – paragraph 2 b (new): 2b. By way of derogation, if a Member State does not reach 100 % of energy neutrality on a national level for urban wastewater treatment plants treating a load of 10 000 p.e. and above, despite having implemented all energy efficiency measures as set out in the energy audits in paragraph 1 of this Article, and is not able to increase energy production on-or-off site wastewater treatment plants as set out in paragraph 2 of this Article, such Member States may exceptionally allow the purchase of renewable energy from external sources through power purchase agreements for the remaining percentage,percentages, but up to a maximum of 25 %,40% provided all of the above conditions are met.
Change 7
Changed:Article 20 – paragraph 1 b (new): 1a.1b. Member States shall consider all possible options of extracting valuable resources from sewage sludge and wastewater that are safe for health and environment in order to ensure circular economy, including recovery and recycling of phosphorus, to consolidate the resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector and contribute to the strategic autonomy of the EU fertiliser industry.
Change 8
Changed:Article 22 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2: With regard to the information referred to in paragraph 1, the EEA shall provide the public with access to relevant data through the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register established under Regulation (EC) No 2006/166166/2006 and allowing for a comparison at national level and exchange of best practices at Union level of the performance of treatment plants, and supporting compliance with this Directive through its database.
Change 9
Added:Article 26 – paragraph 4: deleted
Change 10
Added:Article 32 – paragraph 4 a (new): 4a. Outermost regions may derogate from the provisions of Articles 6, 7 and 8 for discharges into coastal waters of urban wastewater from agglomerations of less than 150 000 p.e., and adopt an appropriate level of treatment, which is however not less stringent than primary treatment, if it is not technically feasible or it would involve excessive costs according to the cost-benefit ratio and scientific studies support such treatment. / For the purposes of the first subparagraph, the Member States comprising the outermost region shall submit to the Commission the studies referred to in the first subparagraph. / The scientific studies shall consider, in particular, the characteristics of the wastewater discharged into coastal waters as well as the receiving environment.