C 146/40
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
27.4.2023
4.13.
The wastewater sector has large potential to become resource-factories.
There are already wastewater treatment plants in the EU that are energy-positive thanks to energy-saving technologies and renewable energy production, e.g. via anaerobic digestion of the sewage sludge and subsequent utilisation of the produced biogas (15).
A further potential is the dual use of areas of treatment structure by covering with photovoltaic plants which should be promoted. 4.14.
Ten million people still lack access to sanitation in the EU.
It is therefore welcome that the proposal requires Member States to improve access to sanitation, in particular for vulnerable and marginalised groups, including providing public toilets free of charge by 2027.
However, the requirement should be strengthened by requiring Member States to ensure access to sanitation for all at early stage of urban planning and consider the affordability and social aspect of water services.
This includes the long lifecycle of waste water collection and treatment assets and their inherent inflexibility for adaptation or upgrading. 4.15.
With a view to ensuing the affordability of water services, exemptions from the Extended Producer Responsibility schemes must be strictly limited.
Preferably, the exemption for products placed on the market at less than 2 tonnes per year should be deleted as some substances are potent even at low quantities, and as a minimum it should be clarified that the 2 tonnes refer to the EU market and not the national level.
It should also be ensured that the EPR covers online retailers. 4.16.
The cost of wastewater treatment makes up a significant share of water bills, but many water users are not aware of the service that wastewater treatment provides, nor the extent to which wastewater treatment is performed well in their area.
The new provision on the reporting of information to the public is therefore welcomed as it would ensure that up-to-date information is disseminated on the percentage of wastewater treated (and not treated) in the area, as well as the load of pollutants discharged by urban wastewater treatment plants and individual systems and also via sewer overflows and urban run-off.
Brussels, 22 February 2023.
The President of the European Economic and Social Committee Christa SCHWENG
(15)
See for example Marselisborg WWTP — from wastewater plant to power plant.