Scientists Urge EU To Strengthen Water Pollution Standards

Over 450 scientists have called on the European Union to swiftly update its water pollution standards to combat the escalating threat of chemical pollution, including PFAS (also called ‘forever chemicals’), in Europe’s freshwater ecosystems.

In an open letter, the experts urged the European Commission, EU member states and the European Parliament to prioritize freshwater protection in the upcoming trilogue negotiations and uphold the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Freshwater and coastal habitats, vital for biodiversity and essential services like drinking water and food supply, are facing severe degradation. Since 1970, freshwater species populations have plummeted by 85% due to pollution and habitat loss. Currently, less than half of Europe’s water bodies are in good health, with little improvement since 2010. According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, 78% of Europeans are concerned about water pollution and its impact on health, calling for stronger EU-level action.

While the WFD, adopted in 2000, remains the EU’s primary legal framework for water protection, scientists argue that its monitoring and pollution control measures are outdated. Existing monitoring practices focus on a limited and outdated list of pollutants, failing to capture the complexity of chemical mixtures present in European rivers.

The experts welcome the ongoing revision of the WFD and related directives but emphasize the need for regulatory action to integrate advanced scientific tools such as effect-based monitoring and non-target screening. These tools can assess the cumulative impact of chemicals on aquatic life but require proper incorporation into EU regulations.

Highlighting the economic implications, the scientists stress that while increasing monitoring efforts requires investment, the cost of inaction—including biodiversity loss, drinking water contamination and expensive remediation—far outweighs the expense.

Expert Reactions:

• Sara Johansson, Senior Policy Officer, EEB: “Member states are dragging their feet on water pollution, making people and nature pay the price. We can’t afford to wait another decade to curb pollution harming Europe’s habitats.”
• Manon Rouby, Policy Officer, PAN Europe: “Water companies struggle to provide clean drinking water due to pesticide residues. Recently, TFA, a tiny PFAS, was found in water across Europe, threatening drinking water for generations.”
• Codruta Savu, Water & Climate Change Adaptation Policy Officer, WWF European Policy Office: “Europe’s waters are drowning in chemical pollution while protection standards remain obsolete. Stronger pollution limits and better enforcement are urgently needed.”
• Lucille Labayle, Water Quality and Health Policy Officer, Surfrider Foundation Europe: “The scientific community has once again raised the alarm. EU institutions must act swiftly to curb chemical pollution in marine and freshwater bodies.”
• Erik Ruiz, Safer Pharmaceuticals Programme Manager, Health Care Without Harm Europe: “Pharmaceutical pollution remains underestimated, with minimal monitoring. With antibiotic resistance set to threaten 390,000 lives yearly by 2050, improving water standards must be a priority.”
• Vanessa De Santis, Representative, European Fresh and Young Researchers (EFYR): “As the next generation of freshwater scientists, we acknowledge past progress but strongly believe that Europe must do better in protecting its inland water bodies.”

The scientists urge EU policymakers to adopt updated pollution standards to safeguard Europe’s freshwater ecosystems for future generations.