This is a comprehensive new EU Directive on urban wastewater treatment that replaces the previous Directive 91/271/EEC. The main purpose is to protect the environment and human health from adverse effects of urban wastewater discharges while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in the sector.The Directive establishes a detailed framework covering:
- Requirements for collection and treatment of urban wastewater in agglomerations above 1,000 population equivalent (p.e.)
- Standards for secondary, tertiary and new quaternary treatment of wastewater
- Extended producer responsibility for pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies to cover costs of removing micropollutants
- Energy neutrality targets for treatment plants
- Requirements for monitoring, reporting and public access to information
Key new elements compared to the previous directive include:
- Extension of scope to smaller agglomerations (1,000-2,000 p.e.)
- Introduction of quaternary treatment to remove micropollutants
- New requirements for energy neutrality and GHG emissions reduction
- Extended producer responsibility scheme for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
- Enhanced monitoring and transparency requirements
- Provisions on access to sanitation
- Requirements for integrated urban wastewater management plans
The most important provisions that operators need to comply with include:
- Meeting stricter discharge limits for nitrogen and phosphorus removal
- Installing quaternary treatment in larger plants by set deadlines
- Achieving energy neutrality targets between 2030-2045
- Enhanced monitoring of micropollutants, GHG emissions and other parameters
- Developing integrated management plans for storm water
- Meeting new transparency and reporting requirements
- Ensuring proper maintenance and operation of collection systems
