The Commission Communication on implementation (COM (2012) 95) in relation to Water Industry Directives (Urban Waste Water Treatment, Drinking Water, Bathing Water Directives) SCG May 2012

Previous Implementation Communications BACKGROUND Previous Implementation Communications 2007 “A Europe of Results” , COM(2007)502 – implementation policy for whole Commission 2008 Communication on implementing environment law, COM(2008)773 – strategic infringement priorities for environment SCG May 2012

2012 Implementation Communication BACKGROUND 2012 Implementation Communication Implementation one of 3 priorities of Commissioner Potočnik Objective to complement rather than replace earlier communications Not an infringement communication Focus on improving information systems and checks and balances at national level 2 themes: Knowledge and responsiveness Adopted 7 March 2012 Helps set scene for 7th Environmental Action Programme SCG May 2012

OVERVIEW OF COMMUNICATION - KNOWLEDGE Improve Member State information systems Access to Information Directive – promote active dissemination SIIFs (Structured Implementation and Information Frameworks), SEIS (Shared Environmental Information System) – practical tools to establish good information systems EU funding Improve EU-level Information Online information, score-boards, Spatial reporting formats (SEIS, INSPIRE) Confidence in MS information Ensure reliability of state-of-environment monitoring systems Increased role for EEA in processing implementation information Close certain information gaps SCG May 2012

OVERVIEW OF COMMUNICATION - RESPONSIVENESS Improve Inspections and surveillance Member State level: Upgrade existing framework for inspections and surveillance Member State level: Sector-specific measures EU level: Explore different options Complaint-handling and mediation Explore an initiative on national complaint-handling Improve access to justice Guidance on existing ECJ case-law Explore options for defining at EU level conditions on access to justice Capacity-building Network co-operation Partnership implementation agreements SCG May 2012

FOLLOW UP TO COMMUNICATION 7th Environmental Action Programme Stakeholder consultation until June 2012 Questions related to content of Communication Implementation to be a key theme of COM 7th EAP proposal Work to explore options on following Inspections and surveillance National complaint-handling Access to justice Range of non-legislative initiatives Example: SEIS Implementation Plan SCG May 2012

Better implementation of Water Industry Directives Better implementation is THE priority (i.e. more efficient, timelier, etc) Three main tiers, Enhancing compliance Through legal action for EU 15, Through compliance promotion for EU 12, Supportive use of EU Funds, namely for EU 12 Improving information: EU BWD as a model SCG May 2012

UWWTD – reporting and funding All 27 MS reported nearly on time, QA/QC completed, first assessments emerging, preliminary report to be released in Autumn 12 Strengthening links with the WFD and the use of EU funds New planning exercise Identify main needs (i.e. “urban” pollution to be tackled) Propose adequate actions (i.e. those defined in the Directive) Milestones and deadlines to be agreed at bilateral basis SCG May 2012

Bathing Water system as a model Further development of Information System for the UWWTD – link to national systems Bathing Water system as a model Timely information, accessible and easy to use, direct information on compliance Re-focussing the reporting exercise, allowing: Report once, use many times Targeting national or local levels Information on agglomerations and plants (e.g. compliance, planning, concerned authority) Flexible use (e.g. geo-referenced, queries) Crossed assessment (WFD, BWD) SCG May 2012

UWWTD in EU 12 : Next DG ENV to Ensure a joint approach of different policies: environment, regional development, communication. Identify and prepare appropriate tools (information, meetings, etc) Agree with authorities to start implementation of the new approach (start with two “volunteer” Member States in 2012) SCG May 2012

Bathing Water Directive 2011 report to be released soon End of transitional arrangements approaching Experience gained to be consolidated Addressing pending issues Start crossed assessment with Water Framework Directive UWWTD SCG May 2012

Drinking Water Directive – enhanced implementation/enforcement of the current legislation Increase reporting under WISE Adapt annexes II and III of the Directive through regulatory procedure with scrutiny Improve drinking water quality for the smaller water supplies by promoting a risk based approach for more ---effective quality control SCG May 2012

DWD - State of play 1. Regular reporting – 3 MS didn’t report; preliminary feedback on the reporting – fall 2012; Synthesis report - 2013 2. Revision of the annexes –discussed with the Regulatory Committee (April 2012) – work plan to be agreed; 3. Small Water Supplies –(a) reporting exercise for the smaller water supplies – report estimated for fall 2012 - (b) workshop Nov 2011-> drafting group on Small Water Supplies->Paper “Framework for action” presented to the Regulatory Committee -> mandate for further implementation of risk management approach and work plan agreed intention for completion of the drafts (Annexes and framework for action) – January 2013 (next Regulatory Committee) SCG May 2012

Next steps Document for Water Directors, focussing on UWWD new approach for EU12 Publication of BW report in May, UWWD and DWD reports (preliminary in autumn) Develop ideas from Implementation Communication with some volunteer MS Link reporting and assessment closer to WFD SCG May 2012