On 18 July 2007, the Commission published a Communication addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the European Union, including the possibility of a Water Performance Directive for Buildings.

Content
Page 1: Background information
Page 2: Proposed policy options & Commission study 'The EU Water Saving Potential'
Page 3: Status 

Background information

Although no new laws are proposed at this stage, the Commission aims to open a debate on the ways the EU can address water scarcity and droughts in an environment dominated by climate change by listing a number of recommendations. Amongst the recommendations are: better land use planning, new drought management plans and the idea to develop a new Directive similar to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive for water performance of buildings.

While Europe is by and large considered as having adequate water resources, water scarcity and droughts are increasingly becoming common place.

Droughts relate to natural conditions such as rainfall deficiency, and have increased dramatically in number and intensity over the past thirty years. Water scarcity is the result of a long-term imbalance with demand in excess of available water resources.

According to the European Commission, an integrated approach is needed to address water scarcity and droughts. The first priority would be to move towards a water-efficient and water-saving economy. A parallel is visible between this statement and the EU’s Energy and Climate package which was published on 10 January 2007. In this package, energy efficiency is a key theme to tackle the energy challenge.

The EU Water Saving Potential

A study commissioned by the European Commission, published on 31 August 2007, estimates that water efficiency could be improved by nearly 40% through technological improvements alone and that changes in human behaviour or production patterns could increase such savings further.

The study, titled 'The EU water saving potential', is available for download at the right side of the screen. It concentrates on four main water users: public water supply (including households), agriculture, industry and tourism.

Proposed Policy Options

The proposed policy options in the Communication include:

• Putting the right price tag on water, using market-based instruments in an environmental context. The existing Water Framework Directive offers possibilities, therefore more emphasis needs to be put on its implementation. The ‘user pays’ principle needs to become the rule.
• Improve land-use planning, as the economic development of some river basins can lead to adverse effects on water resource availability. Key sectors in this respect are tourism and agriculture.
• Improving drought risk management, through e.g. water stress area mapping, alert levels and warning systems.
• In some regions, up to 30% of the volume of water consumed in buildings could be saved. Consideration should therefore be given to developing a new directive similar to the Energy Performance of Building Directive for water performance of buildings. This could cover taps, showers and toilets, rainwater harvesting and reuse of ‘grey water’. Water efficiency criteria should be included in performance standards for buildings.
• Developing voluntary agreements with economic sectors that need water, such as builders, buildings managers, farmers and local authorities.
• The creation of a water-saving culture, through for example education and labelling.

Status

The European Parliament and the Member States will discuss this Communication in the coming months. The Commission will present a report on the outcome during a stakeholder forum planned for 2008. RICS will investigate the need to contribute to the relevant parts of this consultation.

The Environment ministers had an informal meeting at the end of August 2007, where it became clear that a division exists between countries of the south, keen on having legislation on water scarcity, and countries in the north which believe that the Water Framework Directive and the thematic strategy on soil protection provide the EU with enough broadly sufficient instruments provided they are fully implemented.

The Commission Communication and press release are available for download at the right of the screen. If members would like more information, they can contact Sander Scheurwater.