WRITTEN QUESTION E-3062/03 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Improving water networks.
Date: 2003-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: decontamination, hydrology, water management, water protection, water supply, water treatment

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/457

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2003)

As the Honourable Member is aware, a number of International and Community measures and policies
require Ireland to take adequate provisions to conserve or restore the marine environment. In principle,
funds provided by the Community and managed by Ireland could be used to honour these responsibilities,
provided that the legal framework allows for this.

There are limited possibilities for direct support from the Commission for nature conservation projects.
is the LIFE Regulation (1) nearly half of which is devoted to nature
The key financial
conservation projects. The key objective of LIFE Nature is to support the establishment of the Natura 2000
network of protected areas.

instrument

There are certain rules and criteria that need to be met for LIFE funding. Applications for financial support
under LIFE are considered each year and must be submitted via the national authority for nature
protection. The deadline for submission of applications to the Commission under the final round of the
present LIFE Regulation was the end of October 2003.

Unfortunately, the number of applications received by the Commission considerably exceeds the financial
possibilities of this instrument.

In regard to the Structural Funds, the Commission understands that the Irish Seal Sanctuary is currently
examining the possibility of seeking funding under the Tourism Measures of the Regional Operational
Programmes.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 concerning the Financial

Instrument for the Environment (LIFE), OJ L 192, 28.7.2000.

(2004/C 78 E/0484)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3062/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject: Improving water networks

This summer’s weather conditions demonstrated the great importance of water, as much for people as for
agriculture and production in general. The drought suffered by many parts of Europe drew sudden
attention to the catastrophic consequences our countries would face in the event of the phenomenon
occurring again. One of the most worrying aspects to have emerged from the crisis was the wastage of
water brought about by the poor state of the existing canal and river networks. Networks used in
agriculture and production and those that provide drinking-water all need to be modernised, which, in
some cases, particularly as far as drinking water is concerned, may require the complete replacement of
pipes, some of which are still made of lead and will therefore be prohibited on health grounds from 2013
by an EU directive. The total cost of replacing these ancient pipes in France is estimated to be around
EUR 18 000 million; in Italy, the situation is not much different. Nevertheless, the current state of the
networks exacerbates water wastage, estimated at between 15 and 40 %.

Does the Commission not think it advisable to draw Member States’ attention to the need for

1.
projects to improve or renovate pipes and water networks?

Does the Commission not feel it would be useful to propose a plan to modernise water networks

2.
along the same lines as the plan to modernise motorway networks?

Does the Commission not consider it necessary to put forward a water-saving programme, given that

3.
water is a vital and irreplaceable asset for both individuals and society as a whole?

Does the Commission not feel

4.
timetables and funding for the modernisation of water networks?

it advisable to draft a general water directive, setting objectives,

5.

Can the Commission provide information on any projects currently in preparation?

C 78 E/458

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2003)

The Commission shares
that design, construction and
maintenance of water distribution networks present both environmental and economic challenges. This is
true in terms of the material used (e.g. lead pipes leading to elevated levels of lead in drinking water), but
also leaking and resulting loss of water entailing costs and waste of resources.

the opinion by the Honourable Member

The Union has addressed this issue:

(cid:1) on the one hand by environmental legislation such as the Water Framework Directive (1) and the

Drinking Water Directive (2);

(cid:1) on the other hand, bearing in mind the EC Treaty principle (3) that Member States have to finance
environmental policy by Community funding mechanisms supporting efforts for improving water
distribution networks.

By the Water Framework Directive the Union has recently restructured and expanded its water protection
policy, with an obligation to achieve good quality (‘good status’) for all waters by 2015, and provide one
coherent managerial
frame for the implementation of all water-related Community legislation. This
environmental objective and deadline are complemented by mandatory preparatory steps, such as first
analysis of pressures and impacts by December 2004, and establishing the necessary measures within a
river basin management plan by December 2009. These environmental objectives will be underpinned by
charges related to water-related services (such as the provision of water or the collection and treatment of
waste water) which reflect the costs entailed, thus also providing an economic incentive for the wise and
sustainable use of water resources.

It will be the task of Member States and their regions to identify within this iterative process those areas,
installations and distribution networks which contribute to the loss of water, and develop in a transparent
process the necessary remediation measures.

In order
to ensure a targeted implementation, Commission, Member States, non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) and stakeholders (including the European umbrella organisation of water suppliers)
are committed to a comprehensive implementation strategy for the Directive, exchanging information,
jointly developing guidance for implementation and making best use of available resources.

The Drinking Water Directive referred to by the Honourable Member sets quality standards for drinking
water at the tap, including standards for lead. In the case of public drinking water distribution networks
with lead piping, this entails the need to replace lead piping by better suited material.

Community funding instruments such as the Cohesion Fund, the ISPA Fund and the Structural Funds have
been providing financial support for the necessary planning and reconstruction efforts. Further, Rural
Development, the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy, provides opportunities e.g. for water-
saving irrigation techniques and other sustainable water uses.

(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.

(2) Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption,

OJ L 330, 5.12.1998.

(3) Article 175(4) of the EC Treaty.