The European Parliament adopted its recommendations for the forthcoming European Water Resilience Strategy, calling for stronger and more coordinated EU action to address increasing water-related challenges. The strategy is expected to be presented by the European Commission before summer 2025.
The report was approved with 470 votes in favour, 81 against, and 92 abstentions. It outlines the Parliament’s expectations for managing water resources more efficiently, reducing pollution, and improving responses to drought, floods, and water scarcity. MEPS emphasised that water is fundamental not only for health and daily life but also for Europe’s economy and climate adaptation strategies.
Efficiency targets and pollution reduction
The European Parliament is calling on the European Commission to introduce sector-specific targets for water efficiency and abstraction, underpinned by risk assessments. In addition, the report highlights the need to address water pollution from pharmaceuticals, chemical pesticides and fertilisers, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, microplastics, and persistent pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often dubbed “forever chemicals.”
The strategy also urges better integration of climate adaptation into water and land-use policy, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the Mediterranean, island territories, and outermost areas. Disaster preparedness and crisis response mechanisms for water scarcity and extreme weather events are also expected to be significantly reinforced.
Funding and technological innovation
The Parliament proposes that the strategy be backed by dedicated funding, including through existing EU funds, to support sustainable water infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and water-efficient technologies. MEPs also highlight the role of digital tools, such as real-time leak detection, AI-powered monitoring systems, and cybersecurity improvements for critical water infrastructure.
“Our people – our families, farmers, and businesses – deserve clean, secure, and affordable water,” said rapporteur Thomas Bajada (S&D, Malta). “That means moving from promises to real, binding action. We cannot afford to treat water as infinite. That is why this report calls for enforceable water efficiency and abstraction targets – sector by sector, basin by basin. We call for a strong EU-wide response to pollution, including the full phase-out of PFAS wherever safe alternatives exist. Because these “forever chemicals” have no place in a sustainable future. We must also invest in solutions that work: modern irrigation, smart recycling systems, real-time monitoring, and infrastructure that prevents leaks before they happen. These are not luxuries - they are the tools we need to protect our health, our food systems, and our future.”
Environmental groups raise concerns
Environmental organisations expressed mixed reactions. The European Environmental Bureau (EEB), speaking on behalf of the Living Rivers Europe NGO coalition, criticised what it described as a watering down of the Parliament's initial proposals. According to EEB, conservative and far-right MEPs weakened the text by downplaying nature-based solutions and diluting pollution controls.
“This vote has revealed a serious lack of strategic vision for building water resilience,” the coalition stated. “We cannot tackle a continent increasingly depleted of clean water or repair broken water cycles without working with nature. Nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands and removing barriers obstructing rivers, are far more cost-effective, straightforward, and environmentally sustainable than grey infrastructure and techno-fixes. Around 90% of extreme weather events that disrupt people’s lives are water-related, yet here we are with the conservative and the far-right denying Europe the means it needs to face inevitable floods and droughts.”
The coalition warned that calls to weaken the Water Framework Directive and reduce obligations under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme undermine legal protections and shift pollution costs away from industries. “Pretty words on water resilience are nice to have, but how they vote reflects MEPs’ true colours. The European Parliament now needs to stand by its word and resist attempts to weaken the Water Framework Directive and its implementation during the ongoing trilogues on updated EU water pollution standards,” it added.
Still, environmental groups acknowledged the report’s potential. “This report marks a first step towards a truly comprehensive source-to-sea approach to water management in the EU,” read the EEB statement. Helena Rodrigues, Ocean Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office called on the Commission to build on the report’s recommendations by strengthening marine protections and scaling up funding for ocean restoration.
Sector stakeholders defend polluter pays principle
In a parallel statement, EurEau – representing water service providers – voiced strong support for maintaining the EPR scheme within the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which came into force on 1 January 2025. Under the scheme, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries must cover at least 80% of the costs of advanced treatment technologies to remove micropollutants.
According to EurEau, this approach “ensures a fair and effective implementation of the Directive while protecting water affordability for European households.”
The organisation warned that any move to weaken the EPR framework would “shift the financial burden onto already-stretched public services and water users,” and called on the Commission to “stand firm against pressure.”
Looking ahead
The European Commission is expected to present the final European Water Resilience Strategy in early June. With water stress affecting 20% of the EU’s territory and 30% of its population each year, and only 39.5% of surface water bodies achieving good ecological status, the stakes are high.
As the legislative process continues, stakeholders from across the political and professional spectrum are watching closely to see whether the final strategy will deliver on the Parliament’s recommendations and civil society’s calls for stronger, enforceable water protections.
