FILE photograph © Getty Images / urbazone
According to the draft plan made available to the Financial Times, the European Commission plans to call on EU associate States to reduce water consumption by at least 10 percent by 2030. These provisions will be the first Commission directive to reduce water consumption in EU history.
This proposal is emerging in the face of increasing concerns about drought and the depletion of groundwater as a consequence of always more frequent forest fires and catastrophic floods that have cost the EU billions and reduced water reserves to unprecedented levels."We request to consider how we can usage water more efficiently" said EU Environment Commissioner Jessica Roswall, stressing that "when we shower, we gotta think about it."The ban on filling pools is already in force throughout confederate Europe.Haris Sachinis, CEO of the Greek water company Eydap, warned that Athens could completely run out of water supplies in 2 years if drought conditions persist.Cyprus Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou warned that 2025 could be the 3rd consecutive year of drought on the island and 1 of the 8 worst water resources in the half century.Sweden besides imposed a ban on watering gardens by hose in any areas, while in France and Spain disputes over dams and water rights fueled tensions between farmers and environmentalists.Last year, the EU's environmental policy, including the simplification of pesticides and water consumption, led to widespread protests by farmers and agricultural groups throughout the block, including in France, Spain, Germany and Poland.The draft EC Plan calls for greater investment in the leaky infrastructure of the block.The EurEau manufacture group has estimated that about 25% of EU water is lost by tube leaks, and any countries specified as Bulgaria lose up to 60%.The Commission has estimated that EUR 23 billion ($26 billion) is needed all year for modernisation.
The European Investment Bank besides plans to offer EUR 15 billion (17 billion) in the form of loans and guarantees between 2025 and 1927 to support these efforts.
In addition, researchers have found that presently only 2.4% of water is being reused in the EU and Brussels wants to rise this amount.Although the savings mark is not binding, the Commission encourages national targets and better data collection.
A fresh climate assessment has shown that only ‘limited number’ countries have adopted measures to withstand water shortages.This proposal follows the 2023 informing on expanding competition for water and possible cross-border conflicts.
The European Central Bank warned separately that water scarcity is simply a financial threat and surface water shortages could possibly affect almost 15% of the euro area's GDP.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/618254-eu-water-consumption-reduction/
