WRITTEN QUESTION E-1571/02

by Rolf Linkohr (PSE) to the Commission

(4 June 2002)

Subject: Questions on the Water Framework Directive

Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC(1) deals with the recovery of costs for water services.

Does the Commission regard the use of hydro-electric power as a water service?

If so, how does it view the conflict of objectives between promoting renewable energies, increasing the share of renewable energies and fulfilling the Kyoto obligations, on the one hand, and increasing the cost of hydro-electric power on the other?

(1) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2002)

The Water Framework Directive(1) provides for a definition water services: means all services which provide, for households, public institutions or any economic activity a) abstraction, impoundment, storage, treatment and distribution of surface waters or groundwater, b) waste water collection and treatment facilities (Article 2(38)).

Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive provides for taking into account the principle of polluter pays and of cost recovery by 2010: the different uses have to provide adequate contributions to the recovery of costs of water services; at the same time Member States may, in applying these provisions, take into account social, ecological and economic effects of costs recovery.

The Water Framework Directive addresses all impacts on waters. The Commission does in this context not see a contradiction between support for renewable energies(2) and the Water Framework Directive: all involved will in line with the Directive have to contribute to water protection, including sectors subject for support at Community level.

An ecological and economic analysis of different water uses is to be carried out by Member States by December 2004, and will provide a sound basis. Based on this, Member States will, in a transparent manner and involving all interested parties, have to assess and decide the issue of costs recovery. Collated facts as well as assessment can and will differ from case to case; consequently, it is impossible to provide a general response on the role of hydroelectric power plants in the context of cost recovery for services.

Member States and the Commission have for the Water Framework Directive agreed on a comprehensive implementation strategy: it will provide exchange of knowledge and information, and develop guidance documents in cooperation of all involved parties, including European umbrella organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as the scientific community. Work within this strategy will support implementation efforts and provide from the beginning a comparable basis. Joint work in the frame of this implementation strategy is delivering and can be regarded as an example of Good European Governance.

(1) Directive 2000/60/EC of the 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.

(2) Directive 2001/77/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2001 on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market, OJ L 283, 27.10.2001, p. 33.