P8_TC1-COD(2018)0169

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 12 February 2019 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council on minimum requirements for water reuse

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 192(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (3),

Whereas:

(1) The water resources of the Union are increasingly coming under pressure, leading to water scarcity and quality deterioration. In particular, climate change , unpredictable weather patterns and drought are contributing significantly to the strain on the availability of freshwater, arising from urban development and agriculture. [Am. 1]

(2) The Union’s ability to respond to the increasing pressure pressures on water resources could be enhanced by wider reuse of treated waste water , limiting extraction from water bodies and groundwater, reducing the impact of discharge of treated waste water into water bodies, and promoting water savings through the multiple use of urban waste water, while ensuring a high level of environmental protection . Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) mentions the water reuse, of water in combination with the promotion of the use of water-efficient technologies in industry and water-saving irrigation techniques, as one of the supplementary measures Member States may choose to apply to achieve the Directive’s objectives of good qualitative and quantitative water status for surface waters and groundwaters. Council Directive 91/271/EEC (5) requires that treated waste water be reused whenever appropriate. [Am. 2]

(2a) A particular problem in many areas is the age and poor condition of treated waste water distribution infrastructure, which leads to a huge loss of that treated waste water and the attendant waste of the financial resources invested in that treatment. The upgrading of all such pipe infrastructure should thus be a priority. [Am. 3]

(3) The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ‘A Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources’ (6) pointed to water reuse for irrigation or industrial purposes as the need to create an instrument to regulate standards at Union level for water reuse, to remove the barriers to a widespread use of such an alternative water supply option requiring Union attention , namely one that can help to reduce water scarcity and lessen the vulnerability of supply systems . [Am. 4]

(4) The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council ‘Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the European Union’ (7) sets out the hierarchy of measures that Member States should consider in managing water scarcity and droughts. For the same purpose, it would be advisable to lay down within Directive 2000/60/EC a binding hierarchy of measures for the sound management of water . It states that in regions where all preventive measures have been implemented according to the water hierarchy and where demand for water still exceeds availability, additional water supply infrastructure can, in some circumstances and taking into account of the cost benefit dimension, serve as an alternative approach to mitigate the impacts of severe drought. [Am. 5]

(4a) The European Parliament resolution of 9 October 2008 on addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the European Union (8) recalls that a demand-side approach should be preferred when managing water resources and takes the view that the Union should adopt a holistic approach when managing water resources, combining measures of demand management, measures to optimise existing resources within the water cycle, and measures to create new resources, and that the approach needs to integrate environmental, social and economic considerations. [Am. 6]

(5) In its Action Plan for the Circular Economy (9) the Commission committed to taking a series of actions to promote the reuse of treated waste water, including the development of a legislative proposal on minimum requirements for water reuse. The Commission should update its Action Plan and keep water resources as a priority area in which to intervene. [Am. 7]

(6) Reuse of appropriately treated waste water, for example from urban waste water treatment plants or industrial installations, is considered to have a lower environmental impact than other alternative water supply methods, such as water transfers or desalination,. But such reuse , which could reduce water wastage and save water, only occurs to a limited extent in the Union. This appears to be partly due to the significant cost of waste water reuse system and the lack of common Union environmental or and health standards for water reuse, and, as regards in particular agricultural products, the potential health and environmental risks and potential obstacles to the free movement of such products irrigated with reclaimed water. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that, in certain Member States, the irrigation infrastructure is inadequate or non-existent. [Am. 8]

(6a) Water reuse could contribute to the recovery of the nutrients contained in treated waste water, and the use of recovered water for irrigation purposes in agriculture or forestry could be a way of restoring nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, to natural biogeochemical cycles. [Am. 9]

(6b) The reuse of adequately treated reclaimed water for irrigation purposes pursuant to this Regulation should be environmentally friendly. It should not, therefore, result in increased nitrogen and phosphorus release, as excess of such nutrients leads to the eutrophication of soils and surface and ground water bodies, damaging ecosystems and contributing to the reduction of biodiversity. [Am. 10]

(6c) If the effective reuse of urban waste water resources is to be guaranteed, it should be acknowledged that not all types of recycled water can be used for all crops. Farmers should therefore be trained to use the various types of recycled water in an optimum way for crops in respect of which the quality of the water used has no public health implications. [Am. 11]

(7) Equivalent health standards in relation to food hygiene for agricultural products irrigated with reclaimed water can be achieved only if quality requirements for reclaimed water destined for agricultural irrigation do not differ significantly in Member States. Harmonisation of requirements will also contribute to the efficient functioning of the internal market in relation to such products. It is therefore appropriate to introduce minimum harmonisation by setting minimum requirements for water quality, and the frequency of monitoring and key risk management tasks . Those minimum requirements should consist of minimum parameters for reclaimed water and other stricter or additional quality requirements imposed, if necessary, by competent authorities together with any relevant preventive measures. In order to identify stricter or additional requirements for water quality, the The reclamation facility operator should draft a Water Reuse Risk Management Plan in cooperation with the relevant actors involved and should be allowed to identify stricter or additional requirements for the quality of the reclaimed water. The reclamation plant operators facility operator should perform key risk management tasks in cooperation at least with the reclaimed water distribution operator and the reclaimed water storage operator. The Water Reuse Risk Management Plan should be kept constantly updated and drafted in accordance with internationally recognised standardised procedures . The parameters are based on the technical report of the Commission Joint Research Centre and reflect the international standards on water reuse. The Commission Joint Research Centre should develop parameters and measurement methods to identify the presence of microplastics and pharmaceutical residues in reclaimed water. [Am. 12]

(7a) The presence of microplastics can pose a risk to human health and the environment. Therefore, as part of an in-depth review of the sources, distribution, fate and effects of microplastics in the context of waste water treatment, the Commission should develop a methodology for measuring microplastics in urban waste water treated in accordance with Directive 91/271/EEC and reclaimed in accordance with this Regulation. [Am. 13]

(7b) The use of insufficiently clean waste water for public services, such as street cleaning or irrigation of parks and golf courses, can be harmful to health. The Commission should therefore set quality targets regarding the water reuse for public services with a view to protecting human and animal health and the quality of groundwater and surface water. [Am. 14]

(7c) The quality requirements for water used for irrigation should take account of scientific progress, in particular as regards tests for micropollutants and new ‘emerging’ substances, in order to guarantee safe water use and protect the environment and public health. [Am. 15]

(7d) Water quality requirements should take account of experiments which have been carried out, particularly on the use in agriculture of sewage sludge and methanisation effluents. [Am. 16]

(8) The adherence to minimum requirements for water reuse should be consistent with Union water policy and help support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Goal 6, to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all as well as a substantial increase in recycling of water and safe water reuse of water globally with a view to contributing to achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12, on sustainable consumption and production . Furthermore, this Regulation seeks to ensure the application of Article 37 on environmental protection of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. [Am. 17]

(8a) The quality requirements for water intended for human consumption are laid down in Directive (EU) …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council (10) . Member States should take appropriate measures to ensure that water resources used for drinking purposes are not contaminated with reclaimed water, in order to avoid deterioration in drinking water quality. [Am. 18]

(8b) In some cases, the reclamation facility operators still transport and store the reclaimed water beyond the outlet of the reclamation facility, prior to delivering the reclaimed water to the next actors in the chain, such as the reclaimed water distribution operator, the reclaimed water storage operator, or the end-user. It is necessary to define the point of compliance to clarify where the responsibility of the reclamation facility operator ends and where the responsibility of the next actor in the chain starts. [Am. 19]

(9) Risk management should comprise identifying and managing risks in a proactive way and incorporate the concept of producing production, distribution, storage and use of reclaimed water of a quality required for particular uses. The risk assessment should be based on key risk management tasks and on a thorough application of, inter alia, the precautionary principle, and should identify any additional water quality requirements necessary to ensure sufficient protection of the environment, human and animal health. Risk management should be a responsibility shared among all the relevant actors involved in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan. The roles and responsibilities of the actors involved should be clearly specified in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan. When granting a permit, the competent authority should be able to require further risk management measures to be carried out by the relevant actors involved in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan. [Am. 20]

(9a) Cooperation and interaction between the various parties involved in the water reclamation process should be a precondition for setting up reclamation treatment procedures in accordance with the requirements for specific uses and in order to be able to plan the supply of reclaimed water in line with demand from end-users. [Am. 21]

(10) In order to effectively protect the environment , including soil quality, and human health, reclamation plant facility operators should be primarily responsible for the quality of reclaimed water at the point of compliance . For the purposes of compliance with the minimum requirements and any additional conditions, set by the competent authority, reclamation plant facility operators should monitor the quality of reclaimed water in accordance with the minimum requirements and any additional conditions set by the competent authorities . It is therefore appropriate to establish the minimum requirements for monitoring, consisting of the frequencies of the routine monitoring and the timing and performance targets for validation monitoring. Certain requirements for routine monitoring are specified in accordance with Directive 91/271/EEC. [Am. 22]

(11) It is necessary to ensure the safe supply, storage and use of reclaimed water, thereby encouraging the development of water reuse at Union level , encouraging Union farmers in particular to adopt this practice and enhancing public confidence in it. The quantities of treated waste water used, its nature, the treatment methods and its characteristics, regardless of how it is used, should be such that its handling, use and storage, including spraying, drip irrigation, stored or not, does not directly or indirectly affect human or animal health or the quality of soil and aquatic environments in the short, medium and long term . Supply and storage of reclaimed water for particular uses should therefore only be permitted on the basis of a permit, granted by competent authorities of Member States. In order to ensure harmonised approach at Union level, traceability and transparency, the substantive rules for that permit should be laid down at the Union level. However, the details of the procedures for granting permits should be determined by Member States , the competent authorities of which are themselves responsible for assessing the risks linked to water reuse . Member States should be able to apply existing procedures for granting permits which should be adapted to take account of the requirements introduced by this Regulation. [Am. 23]

(11a) Supply and storage of reclaimed water as well as its use by end-users constitute an integral part of the water reuse system. Within the process of supply and storage the reclaimed water can undergo changes that can negatively affect its chemical and biological quality. Reclaimed water should be appropriately used with respect to the classes of reclaimed water, the crops characteristics and irrigation methods. Key risk management tasks should take into account the potential adverse effects on health and environmental matrices associated with the supply, storage and intended use of reclaimed water. In this respect the Commission should establish guidance documents to assist the competent authorities in carrying out the control and monitoring of the supply, storage and use of reclaimed water. [Am. 24]

(11b) If a reclaimed water distribution operator and a reclaimed water storage operator are needed, any such operator should be subject to a permit. If all requirements for the permit are met, the competent authority in the Member State should grant a permit that should contain all the necessary conditions and measures established in the risk assessment for the purposes of safe distribution and storage of reclaimed water to the end-user. [Am. 25]

(12) The provisions of this Regulation are complementary to the requirements of other Union legislation, in particular with regard to possible health and environmental risks. In order to ensure a holistic approach to addressing possible human, and animal health, and environmental plant health risks, the reclamation plant operators and in addition to those relating to environmental protection, when applicable, the competent authorities should therefore take into account comply with the requirements laid down in other relevant Union legislation, in particular Council Directives 86/278/EEC (11), 91/676/EEC (12) and 98/83/EC (13), Directives 91/271/EEC and 2000/60/EC, Regulations (EC) No 178/2002 (14), (EC) No 852/2004 (15), (EC) No 183/2005 (16), (EC) No 396/2005 (17) and (EC) No 1069/2009 (18) of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 2006/7/EC (19), 2006/118/EC (20), 2008/105/EC (21) and 2011/92/EU (22) of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Regulations (EC) No 2073/2005 (23), (EC) No 1881/2006 (24) and (EU) No 142/2011 (25). [Am. 26]

(12a) For the purposes of this Regulation, it should be possible for treatment operations and urban waste water reclamation operations to take place in the same physical location, using the same facility, or different, separate facilities. In addition, it should be possible for the same actor to be both the treatment plant operator and the reclamation facility operator. [Am. 27]

(13) Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 lays down general rules for food business operators and covers the production, processing, distribution and placing on the market of food intended for human consumption. That Regulation addresses the health quality of food and one of its main principles is that the primary responsibility for food safety is borne by the food business operator. That Regulation is also subject to detailed guidance, of particular relevance being the Commission Notice on guidance document on addressing microbiological risks in fresh fruits and vegetables at primary production through good hygiene (2017/C 163/01). The performance targets for reclaimed water laid down in this Regulation do not preclude food business operators from obtaining the water quality required to comply with Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 using at a subsequent stage several water treatment options alone or in combination with other non-treatment options.

(13a) With a view to a better promotion of water reuse operations, the indication of specific uses within this Regulation should not preclude Member States from allowing the use of reclaimed water for further purposes, including reuse for industrial, amenity-related and environmental purposes, provided that Member States ensure compliance with the obligation to ensure a high level of protection of human and animal health and the environment. [Am. 28]

(14) In order to encourage confidence in water reuse, information should be provided to the public. Making available of clear, comprehensive and updated information on water reuse should allow for increased transparency and traceability and could also be of particular interest to other relevant authorities for whom the specific water reuse has implications. In order to encourage water reuse, Member States should ensure that information awareness-raising campaigns that are specific and adapted to the different actors concerned are developed, with a view to making those actors aware of the urban water cycle, the need to reuse water and the benefits deriving from water reuse, thereby promoting stakeholder acceptance of and involvement in water reuse practices. [Am. 29]

(14a) Education and training of the end-users involved in agricultural irrigation are of primary importance as components of implementing and maintaining preventive measures. End-users should be fully informed of the appropriate use of reclaimed water, as they are especially vulnerable. A range of human exposure preventive measures should be implemented, such as use of personal protective equipment, handwashing and personal hygiene. The monitoring of the proper application of such measures should be a part of the key risk management tasks. [Am. 30]

(15) Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (26) aims at guaranteeing the right of access to environmental information in the Member States in line with the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (27) (Aarhus Convention). Directive 2003/4/EC lays down extensive obligations related both to making environmental information available upon request and actively disseminating such information. Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (28), covers the sharing of spatial information, including data-sets on different environmental topics. It is important that provisions of this Regulation related to access to information and data-sharing arrangements complement those Directives and do not create a separate legal regime. Therefore, the provisions of this Regulation on information to the public and on information about monitoring of implementation should be without prejudice to Directives 2003/4/EC and 2007/2/EC.

(16) In order to adapt the existing minimum requirements and the key risk management tasks to scientific and technical progress, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission to amend the minimum requirements and the key risk management tasks , without compromising the scope for reusing properly treated waste water . Moreover, in order to ensure a high level of protection of the environment and human health, the Commission should also be able to adopt delegated acts supplementing the key risk management tasks by laying down technical specifications. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making (29). In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. [Am. 31]

(17) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission for the adoption of detailed rules regarding the format and presentation of the information to be provided to the public by Member States, regarding the format and presentation of the information on monitoring of the implementation of this Regulation to be provided by the Member States and regarding the format and presentation of the information as regards the Union-wide overview drawn up by the European Environmental Agency Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (30).

(18) Competent authorities should verify compliance of the reclaimed water with the conditions set out in the permit. In cases of non-compliance, they should require the reclamation plant facility operator to take the necessary measures to ensure compliance. The operators of reclamation plants facilities should immediately suspend any supply of the reclaimed water when non-compliance exceeds specified maximum values, and as a result causes a significant risk to the environment or to human health. The competent authorities should work closely with end-users in order to facilitate the reuse of properly treated waste water. Competent authorities should control and monitor the supply, storage and use of the reclaimed water taking into account the relevant health and environment risks. [Am. 32]

(19) Competent authorities should cooperate with other relevant authorities, by exchanging information, in order to ensure compliance with relevant Union and national requirements.

(20) Data provided by Member States is essential to enable the Commission to monitor and assess the performance of the legislation against the objectives it pursues.

(21) Pursuant to paragraph 22 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making, the Commission should carry out an evaluation of this Regulation. The evaluation should be based on the five criteria of efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, coherence and EU value added and should provide the basis for impact assessments of possible further measures.

(22) In accordance with the Aarhus Convention members of the public concerned should have access to justice in order to contribute to the protection of the right to live in an environment which is adequate for health and well-being of individuals.

(23) Member States should lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation and ensure that they are implemented. The penalties should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

(24) Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely the protection of environment and human health, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, but can rather, by reason of the scale and effects of the action, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on the European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

(25) It is necessary to provide for sufficient time for Member States to set up the administrative infrastructure necessary for the application of this Regulation as well as for operators to prepare for the application of the new rules.

(25a) With a view to developing and promoting the reuse of properly treated waste water as much as possible, the European Union should support research and development in this area through the Horizon Europe programme in order to bring about a significant improvement in the reliability of properly treated waste water and in viable use methods. [Am. 33]

(25b) To protect the environment and human health effectively, Member States, in cooperation with stakeholders, should introduce checks on soil quality in the short, medium and long term. [Am. 34]

(25c) This Regulation seeks to encourage the sustainable use of water. With that aim in view, the Commission should undertake to use Union programmes, including the LIFE Programme, to support local initiatives involving the reuse of properly treated waste water. [Am. 35]

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1 Subject matter and purpose 1. This Regulation lays down minimum requirements for reclaimed water quality and monitoring and the obligation to carry out specified key risk management tasks, for the safe reuse of treated urban waste water in the context of integrated water management, and contributes to the objectives set out in Directive 2000/60/EC . [Am. 36] 2. The purpose of this Regulation is to guarantee that reclaimed water is safe for its intended use, thereby ensuring a high level of protection of human and animal health and the environment, and at the same time reducing the adverse effects of the use of water resources and improving efficiency, addressing water scarcity , climate change issues and the environmental objectives of the Union, and the resulting pressure on water resources in a coordinated way throughout the Union, thus also contributing to the deployment of sustainable water use solutions, supporting the transition to a circular economy, ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the Union and the efficient functioning of the internal market. [Am. 37] 2a. Member States shall ensure that water resources used for drinking water purposes are not contaminated with reclaimed water. [Am. 38]

Article 2 Scope This Regulation shall apply to reclaimed water destined for a use specified in section 1 of Annex I. This Regulation shall not apply to pilot projects focusing on water reuse in reclamation plants. [Am. 39]

Article 3 Definitions For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply: 1. ‘competent authority’ means an authority or body designated by a Member State to carry out obligations arising from this Regulation; 2. ‘water authority’ means an authority or authorities identified in accordance with Article 3(2) or (3) of Directive 2000/60/EC; 3. ‘end-user’ means a natural or legal person , a public or private entity, who uses reclaimed water for the use it is intended for ; [Am. 40] 4. ‘urban waste water’ means urban waste water as defined in Article 2(1) of Directive 91/271/EEC; 4a. ‘treated waste water’ means urban waste water that has been treated in compliance with the requirements set out in Directive 91/271/EEC; [Am. 41] 5. ‘reclaimed water’ means urban treated waste water that has been treated in compliance with the requirements set out in Directive 91/271/EEC and which results from further treatment in a reclamation plant facility that makes its quality suitable for the use it is intended for ; [Am. 42] 5a. ‘water reuse’ means use of reclaimed water of a specific quality suitable for a use specified in Section 1 of Annex I, through a distribution system, thereby partially or wholly replacing the use of surface waters or groundwater; [Am. 43] 6. ‘reclamation plant facility ’ means a part of an urban waste water treatment plant or other plant facility that further treats urban waste water complying previously treated in accordance with the requirements set out in Directive 91/271/EEC in order to produce reclaimed water that is fit for a use specified in section 1 of Annex I to this Regulation and includes any storage infrastructure and any infrastructure designed to deliver the reclaimed water to the reclaimed water distribution infrastructure, or to the end-user ; [Am. 44] 7. ‘reclamation plant facility operator’ means a natural or legal person who operates or controls a reclamation plant facility ; [Am. 45] 7a. ‘reclaimed water distribution infrastructure’ means a system of dedicated pipelines and pumps, or other dedicated transporting facilities, designed to deliver the reclaimed water to the end-user, including any facilities for equalisation, further treatment and storage, outside the reclamation facility; [Am. 46] 7b. ‘reclaimed water distribution operator’ means a natural or legal person which operates or controls the reclaimed water distribution infrastructure; [Am. 47] 7c. ‘reclaimed water storage infrastructure’ means a system of dedicated storage facilities designed to store the reclaimed water; [Am. 48] 7d. ‘reclaimed water storage operator’ means a natural or legal person that operates or controls reclaimed water storage infrastructure; [Am. 49] 8. ‘hazard’ means a biological, chemical, physical or radiological agent that has the potential to cause harm to people, animals, crops or plants, other terrestrial biota, aquatic biota, soils or the general environment; 9. ‘risk’ means the likelihood of identified hazards causing harm in a specified timeframe, including the severity of the consequences; 10. ‘risk management’ is a systematic management that consistently ensures the safety of water reuse in a specific context; 11. ‘preventive measure’ means any appropriate action or activity that can be used to prevent or eliminate a health and environmental risk, or reduce it to an acceptable level.; [Am. 50] 11a. ‘point of compliance’ means the point where a reclamation facility operator delivers the reclaimed water to the next actor in the chain; [Am. 51] 11b. ‘micropollutant’ means an undesirable substance detectable in the environment at a very low concentration, as referred to in Annex VIII to Directive 2000/60/EC. [Am. 52]

Article 4 Obligations of reclamation plant facility operators as regards water quality [Am. 53] 1. Reclamation plant facility operators shall ensure that reclaimed water destined for a use specified in section 1 of Annex I, shall, at the outlet of the reclamation plant (point of compliance) point of compliance , comply with the following: (a) the minimum requirements for water quality laid down in Section 2 of Annex I; (b) any additional conditions set by the competent authority in the relevant permit pursuant to points (b) and (c) of Article 7(3), as regards water quality. [Am. 54] 2. In order to ensure compliance with the requirements and conditions referred to in paragraph 1, the reclamation plant operator shall monitor water quality in accordance with the following: (a) section 2 of Annex I; (b) any additional conditions set by the competent authority in the relevant permit pursuant to points (b) and (c) of Article 7(3), as regards monitoring. 2a. Reclamation facility operators shall also ensure that at least the risk management measures set out in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan referred to in paragraph - 1 of Article 5 are fully implemented within the reclamation facility. [Am. 55] 2b . After the point of compliance, the quality of water shall no longer be the responsibility of the reclamation facility operator, and shall become the responsibility of the next actor in the chain . [Am. 56] 3. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts amending this Regulation in accordance with Article 14 in order to adapt to technical and scientific progress the minimum requirements set out in Section 2 of Annex I. [Am. 57]

Article 4a Obligations of reclaimed water distribution operators, reclaimed water storage operators and end-users 1. The reclaimed water distribution operator shall maintain the level of quality of reclaimed water within the reclaimed water distribution infrastructure at least at the same level of quality as that laid down in Section 2 of Annex I. The reclaimed water distribution operator shall also ensure that at least the risk management measures set out in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan referred to in paragraph - 1 of Article 5 are fully implemented within the reclaimed water distribution infrastructure. When granting a permit in accordance with Article 7, the competent authority may require further risk management measures to be taken as regards tasks to be carried out by the reclaimed water distribution operator and specify additional requirements and preventive measures needed in accordance with points (b) and (c) of Annex II. 2. The reclaimed water storage operator shall maintain the level of quality of the reclaimed water within the reclaimed water storage infrastructure at least at the same level of quality as that laid down in Section 2 of Annex I. The reclaimed water storage operator shall also ensure that at least the risk management measures set out in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan referred to in paragraph - 1 of Article 5 are fully implemented within the reclaimed water storage infrastructure. When granting a permit in accordance with Article 7, the competent authority may require further risk management measures to be taken as regards tasks to be carried out by the reclaimed water storage operator and specify additional requirements and preventive measures needed in accordance with points (b) and (c) of Annex II. 3. Reclaimed water used by end-users shall be at least of the quality level set out in Section 2 of Annex I. The competent authority may provide for further requirements as regards obligations upon end-users in addition to those set out in Section 2 of Annex I. 4. The Commission shall establish guidance documents to assist the competent authorities in the implementation of the requirements relating to control and monitoring of the production, distribution, storage and use of the reclaimed water. [Am. 58]

Article 5 Risk management -1. The reclamation facility operator shall, in cooperation with the relevant actors referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, draw-up a Water Reuse Risk Management Plan. The Water Reuse Risk Management Plan shall be based on the key risk management tasks set out in point (a) of Annex II, set out any requirements additional to those specified in Annex I in accordance with point (b) of Annex II, and shall identify hazards, risks and appropriate preventive measures in accordance with point (c) of Annex II. [Am. 59] 1. For the purposes of producing and supplying ensuring safe production, distribution, storage and use of reclaimed water, risk management shall be undertaken by the reclamation plant operator the competent authority shall oversee risk management in consultation with the following actors: [Am. 60] (a) the operator of the urban waste water treatment plant(s) supplying a reclamation plant with water, facility with treated waste water in accordance with the quality requirement set out in Directive 91/271/EEC if different from the reclamation plant faiclity operator; [Am. 61] (aa) the reclamation facility operator; [Am. 62] (ab) the reclaimed water distribution operator; [Am. 63] (ac) the reclaimed water storage operator; [Am. 64] (b) end-user(s); (c) any other party deemed relevant by the reclamation plant operator competent authority . [Am. 65] 2. The reclamation plant facility operator, shall draw-up a the reclaimed water distribution operator and the reclaimed water storage operator shall carry out at least the risk management tasks defined in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan based on the key risk management tasks set out in Annex II. The Water Reuse Risk Management Plan shall propose any additional requirements to those specified in Annex I necessary to further mitigate any risks, and shall, inter alia, identify hazards, risks and appropriate preventive measures referred to in paragraph - 1. Risk management methods used by the reclamation facility operator, the reclaimed water distribution operator and the reclaimed water storage operator shall be based on internationally recognised methodologies. [Am. 66] 2a. In the relevant permit granted in accordance with Article 7, the competent authority may specify different tasks and responsibilities for the different actors involved in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan. [Am. 67] 2b. If the type of crop to be irrigated is to be marketed in several different forms and falls into several different reclaimed water quality classes, the reclamation facility operator shall be required to provide the farmer with water corresponding to the highest of the quality classes concerned. [Am. 68] 3. The Commission is empowered to adopt, in accordance with Article 14, delegated acts amending this Regulation in order to adapt to technical and scientific progress the key risk management tasks set out in Annex II. [Am. 69] The Commission is also empowered to adopt, in accordance with Article 14, delegated acts supplementing this Regulation in order to lay down technical specifications of the key risk management tasks set out in Annex II. [Am. 70] By … [1 year after the date of entry into force of this Regulation] the Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 14 to supplement this Regulation by introducing a methodology for measuring the presence of microplastics in reclaimed water which may be subject to additional requirements based on the risk assessment referred to in point 4 of Annex II. [Am. 133] 3a. If an end-user suspects that the water stored as provided for in Article 4a(2) does not meet the minimum requirements laid down in this Regulation, she or he shall: (a) inform immediately the health authority concerned and provide it, if appropriate, with all information available; (b) cooperate fully with the competent authority concerned in order to verify and determine the grounds for suspicion and the possible presence of unauthorised substances or values as referred to in Tables 2 and 4 of Section 2 of Annex I. [Am. 71]

Article 6 Application for a permit to supply produce, distribute and store reclaimed water [Am. 72] 1. Any supply production, distribution or storage of reclaimed water destined for a use specified in section 1 of Annex I, shall be subject to a permit. [Am. 73] 2. An A reclamation facility operator shall submit an application for the permit referred to in paragraph 1, or for a modification of an existing permit to the competent authority of the Member State in which the reclamation plant facility operates or is planned to operate. [Am. 74] 3. The application shall include the following: (a) a Water Reuse Risk Management Plan drawn up in accordance with paragraph - 1 of Article 5(2) 5 ; [Am. 75] (aa) the latest available data demonstrating the compliance of treated waste water within the meaning of Directive 91/271/EEC at the waste water treatment plant from which the water to be recovered originates; [Am. 76] (b) a description of how the reclamation plant facility operator will comply at the point of compliance with the minimum requirements for water quality and monitoring set out in section 2 of Annex I; [Am. 77] (c) a description of how the reclamation plant facility operator will comply at the point of compliance with the additional requirements proposed in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan. [Am. 78] 3a. A reclaimed water distribution operator shall submit an application for the permit referred to in paragraph 1, or for a modification of an existing permit, to the competent authority of the Member State in which the reclaimed water distribution infrastructure operates or is planned to operate. The application shall include a description of how the reclaimed water distribution operator is to comply with the obligations laid down in paragraph 1 of Article 4a. [Am. 79] 3b. A reclaimed water storage operator shall submit an application for the permit referred to in paragraph 1, or for a modification of an existing permit, to the competent authority of the Member State in which the reclaimed water storage infrastructure operates or is planned to operate. The application shall include a description of how the reclaimed water storage operator is to comply with the obligations laid down in paragraph 2 of Article 4a. [Am. 80]

Article 7 Granting of the permit 1. For the purposes of assessing the application, the competent authority shall, if appropriate consult and exchange relevant information with the following: (a) other relevant authorities of the same Member State, in particular the water authority, and health authorities, if different than the competent authority; [Am. 81] (b) contact points in potentially affected Member State(s) designated in accordance with Article 9(1). 2. The competent authority shall assess the application, having recourse to appropriate scientific assistance, and decide within 3 months from the receipt of the complete application as referred to in point (a) of Article 6(3) paragraphs 2, 3, 3a and 3b of Article 6 whether to grant or refuse the permit. Where the competent authority needs more time due to the complexity of the application, it shall inform without delay the applicant thereof, and indicate the expected date of granting or refusing the permit and provide reasons for the extension. The competent authority shall, in any case, take a decision no later than six months from the receipt of the complete application as referred to in paragraphs 2, 3, 3a and 3b of Article 6. [Am. 82] 3. Where the competent authority decides to grant a permit, it shall determine the conditions applicable, which shall include the following, as applicable: (a) conditions in relation to the minimum requirements for water quality and monitoring set out in section 2 of Annex I; (b) conditions in relation to the additional requirements proposed in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan; (c) any other conditions necessary to further mitigate eliminate any unacceptable risks to the human and animal health or the environment. [Am. 83] 3a. If conditions equivalent to those referred to in points (a) to (c) of paragraph 3 are not already included in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan referred to in Article 5, the competent authority shall update the plan without delay. [Am. 84] 4. The permit shall be reviewed regularly and at least every five years and, if necessary, modified.

Article 8 Compliance check 1. The competent authority shall verify compliance of the reclaimed water with the conditions set out in the permit, at the point of compliance permits granted in accordance with Article 7. The compliance check shall be performed using the following means: [Am. 85] (a) on-spot checks; (b) use of monitoring data obtained pursuant to this Regulation and Directives 91/271/EEC and 2000/60/EC; (c) any other adequate means. 2. In the event of non-compliance, the competent authority shall require the reclamation plant facility operator , the reclaimed water distribution operator, or the reclaimed water storage operator, as applicable , to take any necessary measures to promptly restore compliance without delay and immediately inform the end-users affected . [Am. 86] 3. Where non-compliance causes a significant risk to the environment or to human health, the individual value of any parameter exceeds the minimum water quality requirements set out in point (a) of Section 2 of Annex I, the reclamation plant facility operator shall immediately suspend any further supply of the reclaimed water. until the The competent authority determines may determine that compliance has been restored only after the individual value of the parameter, or parameters, exceeding the relevant minimum water quality requirements has been found below the maximum permitted value in at least three consecutive checks . [Am. 87] 4. If an incident affecting compliance with the permit's conditions occurs, the reclamation plant facility operator , the reclaimed water distribution operator or the reclaimed water storage operator, as applicable, shall immediately inform the competent authority and the end-user(s) which may be potentially affected, and communicate to the competent authority the information necessary for assessing the impacts of such an incident. [Am. 88] 4a. After granting a permit in accordance with Article 7, the competent authority shall regularly verify compliance by the reclamation facility operator, the reclaimed water distribution operator and the reclaimed water storage operator, with the measures set out in the Water Reuse Risk Management Plan. [Am. 89] 4b. In the event of non-compliance of reclaimed water at the point of compliance and subsequent contamination of soil or agricultural products through distribution and storage of that non-compliant reclaimed water, resulting in health and environmental hazards, the reclamation facility operator shall be held responsible and liable for damages. [Am. 134]

Article 9 Cooperation between Member States 1. Member States shall designate a contact point to cooperate as appropriate with other Member States' contact points and competent authorities. The role of contact points shall be to provide assistance upon request and coordinate communication between competent authorities. The contact points shall, in particular, receive and transmit requests for assistance. 2. Member States shall respond to requests for assistance without undue delay.

Article 9a Information awareness-raising campaigns 1. Member States shall set up information and awareness raising campaigns targeting potential end-users, including citizens, and concerning the safety of water reuse and the savings of water resources resulting from water reuse. 2. Member States shall also set up information campaigns for farmers to ensure that they use reclaimed water on crops in an optimal manner, and thereby avoid any adverse health or environmental effects from such use. [Am. 91]

Article 10 Information to the public 1. Without prejudice to Directives 2003/4/EC and 2007/2/EC, and to Article 9(4) of Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States shall ensure that adequate and up-to-date and accessible information on water reuse of water is available online to the public or through other easy-to-use methods, complying with data protection rules . That information shall include the following: [Am. 92] (a) the quantity and the quality of the reclaimed water supplied in accordance with this Regulation; (aa) use of reclaimed water as a percentage of total freshwater used for the uses covered by this Regulation; [Am. 93] (b) the percentage of the reclaimed water in the Member State supplied in accordance with this Regulation compared to the total amount of treated urban waste water; (ba) the percentage of the reclaimed water in the Member State supplied in accordance with this Regulation compared to the total amount of treatable urban waste water; [Am. 94] (c) permits granted or modified in accordance with this Regulation, including conditions set by competent authorities in accordance with Article 7(3); (d) outcome of the compliance check performed in accordance with Article 8(1); (e) contact points designated in accordance with Article 9(1). 2. The information referred to in paragraph 1 shall be updated at least once a year. 2a. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 laying down general rules applicable to operators in the food sector, which covers the production, processing, distribution and marketing of foodstuffs intended for human consumption, the competent authorities shall inform users of the maximum nutrient content of the properly treated waste water supplied, so that users, including farmers, can satisfy themselves that it is in compliance with the nutrient levels laid down by the relevant Union rules. [Am. 95] 3. The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, lay down detailed rules regarding the format and presentation of the information to be provided under paragraph 1. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 15. [Am. 96]

Article 11 Information on monitoring of implementation 1. Without prejudice to Directives 2003/4/EC and 2007/2/EC, each Member State, assisted by the European Environment Agency, shall: (a) set up and publish by … [three four years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], and update every 6 years thereafter, a data set containing information on the outcome of the compliance check performed in accordance with Article 8(1) and other information to be made available online to the public in accordance with Article 10; [Am. 97] (b) set up, publish and update annually thereafter, a data set containing information on cases of non-compliance with the conditions set out in the permit, collected in accordance with Article 8(1) and information about the measures taken in accordance with Article 8(2) and (3). 2. Member States shall ensure that the Commission, the European Environment Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have access to the data sets referred to in paragraph 1. 3. On the basis of the data referred to in paragraph 1, the European Environment Agency shall draw up, publish and update, on a regular basis or following a request from the Commission, a Union-wide overview which shall include, as appropriate, indicators for outputs, results and impacts of this Regulation, maps, and Member State reports. 4. The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, lay down detailed rules regarding the format and presentation of the information to be provided in accordance with paragraph 1 as well as detailed rules regarding the format and presentation of the Union-wide overview referred to in paragraph 3. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 15.

Article 12 Access to justice 1. Member States shall ensure that natural or legal persons or their associations, organisations or groups, in accordance with national legislation or practice, have access to a review procedure before a court of law or another independent and impartial body established by law to challenge the substantive or procedural legality of decisions, actions or omissions related to the implementation of Articles 4 to 8, when one of the following conditions is fulfilled: (a) they have a sufficient interest; (b) they maintain the impairment of a right, where the administrative procedural law of the relevant Member State requires this as a precondition. 2. Member States shall determine at what stage decisions, acts or omissions may be challenged. 3. What constitutes a sufficient interest and impairment of a right shall be determined by Member States, consistently with the objective of giving the public concerned wide access to justice. To that end, the interest of any non-governmental organisation promoting environmental protection and meeting the requirements under national law shall be deemed sufficient for the purposes of paragraph 1(a). Such organisations shall also be deemed to have rights capable of being impaired for the purposes of paragraph 1(b). 4. Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall not exclude the possibility of a preliminary review procedure before an administrative authority and shall not affect the requirement of exhaustion of administrative review procedures prior to recourse to judicial review procedures, where such a requirement exists under national law. 5. Any review procedure referred to in paragraphs 1 and 4 shall be fair, equitable, timely and not prohibitively expensive. 6. Member States shall ensure that information is made available to the public on access to administrative and judicial review procedures.

Article 13 Evaluation 1. The Commission shall, by … [6 five years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], carry out an evaluation of this Regulation. The evaluation shall be based at least on the following elements: [Am. 98] (a) the experience gathered from the implementation of this Regulation; (b) the data sets set up by Member States in accordance with Article 11(1) and the Union-wide overview drawn up by the European Environment Agency in accordance with Article 11(3); (c) relevant scientific, analytical and epidemiological data; (d) technical and scientific knowledge; (e) World Health Organization recommendations, where available; (ea) experiments which have been carried out, in particular as regards the use in agriculture of sewage sludge and methanisation effluents. [Am. 99] 2. In the context of the evaluation referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall pay particular regard to the following aspects: (a) the minimum requirements set out in Annex I; (b) the key risk management tasks set out in Annex II; (c) the additional requirements set by competent authorities pursuant to point (b) and (c) of Article 7(3); (d) the impacts of water reuse on the environment and human health; (da) the growing presence of micropollutants and new ‘emerging’ substances in reused water. [Am. 100] 2a. As part of the evaluation referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall assess the feasibility of: (a) extending the scope of this Regulation to reclaimed water intended for further specific uses, including reuse for industrial purposes; (b) expanding the requirements of this Regulation to cover the indirect use of treated waste water; (c) laying down minimum requirements applicable to the quality of treated waste water for the purpose of aquifer recharge. [Am. 101] 2b. Where appropriate, the Commission shall accompany the evaluation referred to in paragraph 1 with a legislative proposal. [Am. 102]

Article 14 Exercise of the delegation 1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article. 2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 4(3) and Article 5(3) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from the date of entry into force of this Regulation. 3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 4(3) and Article 5(3) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. 4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. 5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. 6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 4(3) and Article 5(3) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

Article 15 Committee procedure 1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee established by Directive 2000/60/EC. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

Article 16 Penalties Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Member States shall, by … [three four years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], notify the Commission of those rules and of those measures and shall notify it of any subsequent amendment affecting them. [Am. 103]

Article 17 Entry into force and application This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply from … [one year two years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation]. [Am. 104]

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at …, For the European Parliament The President For the Council The President

(1) OJ C …

(2) OJ C 86, 7.3.2019, p. 353.

(3) Position of the European Parliament of 12 February 2019.

(4) Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1).

(5) Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste water treatment (OJ L 135, 30.5.1991, p. 40).

(6) COM(2012)0673.

(7) COM(2007)0414.

(8) OJ C 9 E, 15.1.2010, p. 33.

(9) COM(2015)0614.

(10) Directive (EU) …/… on the quality of water intended for human consumption (OJ …).

(11) Council Directive 86/278/EEC of 12 June 1986 on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture (OJ L 181, 4.7.1986, p. 6).

(12) Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1).

(13) Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32).

(14) Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1).

(15) Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs (OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 1).

(16) Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 of the European Parliament and the Council of 12 January 2005 laying down requirements for feed hygiene (OJ L 35, 8.2.2005, p. 1).

(17) Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC (OJ L 70, 16.3.2005, p. 1).

(18) Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 (Animal by-products Regulation) (OJ L 300, 14.11.2009, p. 1).

(19) Directive 2006/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2006 concerning the management of bathing water quality and repealing Directive 76/160/EEC (OJ L 64, 4.3.2006, p. 37).

(20) Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration (OJ L 372, 27.12.2006, p. 19).

(21) Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC, 86/280/EEC and amending Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 348, 24.12.2008, p. 84).

(22) Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1).

(23) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 of 15 November 2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs (OJ L 338, 22.12.2005, p. 1).

(24) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (OJ L 364, 20.12.2006, p. 5).

(25) Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 of 25 February 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption and implementing Council Directive 97/78/EC as regards certain samples and items exempt from veterinary checks at the border under that Directive Text with EEA relevance (OJ L 54, 26.2.2011, p. 1).

(26) Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC (OJ L 41, 14.2.2003, p. 26).

(27) OJ L 124, 17.5.2005, p. 4.

(28) Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2007 establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) (OJ L 108, 25.4.2007, p. 1).

(29) OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1.

(30) Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).