Commission opens debate on EU water scarcity

The European commission has launched a green paper aimed at triggering a debate on water scarcity and drought in Europe.

The communication presents policy options and issues that the commission believes must be taken into account if water is to remain a plentiful commodity in Europe.

"The major impacts of water scarcity and droughts are expected to be made worse by climate change,” said environment commissioner Stavros Dimas.

“We thus need an integrated approach on water because sustainable water use is absolutely vital if we are to ensure that enough water is available to all European citizens and economic activities."

Peter Gammeltoft, head of protection of water & marine environment at DG environment, told journalists Wednesday that drought over the past 30 years has cost society something in the region of €100bn, and that the average annual cost quadrupled in that time.

In 2003, one of the most widespread droughts affected over 100 million people and about a third of the EU land area costing approximately €8.7bn.

“It is better to prevent water scarcity,” he said.

“We therefore propose the full implementation of the water framework directive. There also needs to be a price on water, based on the user pays principle.”

Gammeltoft accepted that households should have equal access to water whatever their economic circumstances, and that a compromise in this respect was necessary.

“Water savings must be a priority,” he said.

“Increasing supply is another option, but this should only be considered when all other options have been taken into account.”

Gammeltoft emphasised that the green paper represented the beginning of the debate not the conclusion, and that the next step would be for the commission to receive feedback from both council and parliament.

“This is an area where all policies must contribute to improving the situation,” he said.

The commission predicts that water shortage and drought will be the norm in Europe by 2070.

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