European Water Resilience Strategy. The European Parliament adopts new recommendations

Last week, the European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a report containing recommendations for a European water resilience strategy. The report states that MEPs are calling on the EU to manage water resources more effectively in response to the increasing impacts of climate change. The European Commission expects that these recommendations could be implemented as early as this summer.

470 MEPs voted in favor of the new recommendations, 81 were against, and 92 abstained. The report emphasizes that the adopted recommendations primarily aim to encourage more effective implementation of water resource conservation goals and accelerate adaptation to climate change. MEPs also seek to ensure adequate funding for water resilience, promote more innovation, and improve the digitalization of the water economy.

Natural disasters in the spotlight

The recommendations passed by MEPs are primarily aimed at changing water resource management rules. Lawmakers want the European Commission to propose targets that will help better monitor water management across different sectors. This mechanism would be based on a risk assessment related to water consumption in a given sector.

MEPs advocate for stricter regulations regarding the introduction of chemical substances into water bodies. Among the substances of greatest concern, MEPs mention pharmaceuticals, chemical plant protection products, fertilizers, microplastics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and PFAS chemicals, the so-called forever chemicals, which are to be gradually phased out.

The European Parliament also calls for EU countries to be properly protected against the increasingly frequent natural disasters. This includes the need to improve preparedness and crisis response mechanisms in the event of water shortages, droughts, or floods. According to MEPs, adaptation to climate change should be integrated into sectoral plans and policies that affect water and land use.

Water resilience and artificial intelligence

The recommendations adopted by MEPs also call on the European Commission to provide dedicated funding for water resilience, supported by special mechanisms within existing EU funds. This would aim to modernize water infrastructure and ensure the implementation of sustainable measures in the water management sector.

In this context, MEPs urge the European Commission to invest funds and expand the use of artificial intelligence, such as for real-time water leak detection, smart irrigation, and other new technologies that improve water use efficiency.

They also highlight the possibility of more intensive digitalization of water management systems. This includes the importance of digital tools for transparent data collection, monitoring, early warning systems, and improving cybersecurity of critical water infrastructure.

A strategy for increasing water resilience this year

The rapporteur of the adopted recommendations, MEP Thomas Bajada from the Socialist and Democrats group in the European Parliament, emphasized that all European Union citizens deserve clean, safe, and affordable water. He noted that water cannot be treated as an inexhaustible resource and strongly called for investment in modern technological solutions.

We must invest in modern irrigation systems, smart recycling, real-time monitoring, and infrastructure that prevents leaks before they happen. These are not luxuries – they are essential tools for protecting our health, food security, and the environment, said Bajada.

The European Parliament’s recommendations will now be taken up by the European Commission. It is expected that the Commission will adopt the European water resilience strategy before the summer, in line with the European Parliament’s 2025 work schedule.

main photo credit: European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta/Flickr