Urban wastewater treatment: MEPs adopt a text calling for a temporary suspension of EPR obligations

The European Parliament adopted a resolution reaffirming "its strong support for the environmental objectives and the implementation of the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive", by 294 votes in favour, 245 against and 28 abstentions, during a plenary session on 18/06/2026.

MEPs stressed that the "introduction of quaternary treatment (removing micropollutants from urban wastewater) is necessary to protect health, safeguard ecosystems and combat emerging risks such as anti-microbial resistance".

According to the resolution, "costs associated with advanced wastewater treatment should not be shifted onto taxpayers and water consumers, but should be borne in a fair and proportionate manner by those sectors contributing to water pollution".

The extended producer responsibility (EPR) is therefore "the most effective tool for implementing the “polluter pays principle”", the text adds. MEPs insist that the directive provides for sufficient flexibility and proportionate measures to ensure that the EPR obligations do not compromise the affordability, availability or accessibility of…