Safer drinking water for all Europeans

Today, the European Commission is proposing to revise the EU Drinking Water Directive, to improve the quality and the access of citizens to drinking water, as well as provide better information to consumers. The right to access essential services of good quality, including water, is one of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights unanimously proclaimed by European Leaders at the Gothenburg Summit. Today’s legislative proposal will guarantee this right in practice, and thereby responds to the first-ever successful European Citizens’ Initiative, “Right2Water“, that gathered 1.6 million signatures in support of improving access to safe drinking water for all Europeans. In addition, this proposal seeks to empower consumers by ensuring that water suppliers provide clearer information on consumption, cost structures and price per litre, allowing a comparison with the price of bottled water. This will contribute to the environmental goals of reducing plastic use and limiting the EU’s carbon footprint, as well as meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. First Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Vella will present the proposal at a press conference at 12.30 CET which will be broadcast live here. A press release, MEMO and factsheet will be made available at the start of the press conference.