13 Amendments of Soraya POST related to 2017/0332(COD)
Amendment 134 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Following the conclusion of the European citizens' initiative on the right to water (Right2Water)71 , a Union-wide public consultation was launched and a Regulatory Fitness and Performance (REFIT) Evaluation of Directive 98/83/EC was performed72 . It became apparent from that exercise that certain provisions of Directive 98/83/EC needed to be updated. Four areas were identified as offering scope for improvement, namely the list of quality-based parametric values, the limited relianceinconsistent application onf a risk-based approach, the imprecise provisions on consumer information, and the disparities between approval systems for materials in contact with water intended for human consumption and the implications this has for human health. In addition, the European citizens' initiative on the right to water identified as a distinct problem the fact that part of the population, - especially amongst vulnerable and marginalised groups, - has no access to water intended for human consumption, which is alsoinconsistent with the recognition that access to water is a basic right essential for the realisation of all human rights. It is also inconsistent with a commitment made under Sustainable Development Goal 6 of UN Agenda 2030. A final issue identified is the general lack of awareness of water leakages, which are driven by underinvestment in maintenance and renewal of the water infrastructure, as also pointed out in the European Court of Auditors' Special Report on water infrastructure73 . _________________ 71 72COM(2014) 177 final COM(2014) 177 final 72 SWD(2016) 428 final SWD(2016) 428 final 73 Special report of the European Court of Auditors SR 12/2017: "Implementing the Drinking Water Directive: water quality and access to it improved in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, but investment needs remains substantial".
Amendment 200 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The Commission, in its reply to the European citizens’ initiative ‘Right2Water’ in 201483 , invited Member States to ensure access to a minimum water supply for all citizens, in accordance with the WHO recommendations. It also committed to continue to "improve access to safe drinking water […] for the whole population through environmental policies"84 . This is in line with Articles 1 and 2 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is also founded upon Principle 20 of the European Pillar of Social Rights and UN General Assembly Resolutions No 64/292 and No 68/157, which explicitly recognise that access to drinking water is a basic right essential for the realisation of all human rights. This is also in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 and the associated target to "achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all". The concept of equitable access covers a wide array of aspects such as availability (due for instance to geographic reasons,obstacles of geography, financial affordability, or a lack of infrastructure for the specific situation of certain parts of the populations), as well as quality, and acceptability, or. Concerning financial affordability. Concerning affordability of water, it is important to recall that, when setting water tariffs in accordance with the principle of recovery of costs and the polluter pays principle set out in Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States mayshould have regard to the variation in the economic and social conditions of the population and may thereforeshould either adopt social tariffs or take alternative measures to safeguarding populations at a socio- economic disadvantage. This Directive deal, such as through the provision of water banks, min particular,imum water quotas or water solidarity funds. This Directive deals with the aspects of access to water which are related to quality and availaccessibility. To address those aspects, as part of the reply to the European citizens' initiative and to contribute to the implementation of Principle 20 of the European Pillar of Social Rights85 that states that "everyone has the right to access essential services of good quality, including water", Member States should be required to tackle the issue of universal access to water at national level whilst enjoying some discretion as to the exact type of measures to be implemented. This can be done through actions aimed, inter alia, at improving access to water intended for human consumption for all, for instance with freely accessible fountaby ensuring a sufficient number of freely accessible designated refill points in cities, and towns and at promoting its use by encouraging the free provision of water intended for human consumption in public buildings and restaurants. _________________ 83 84awareness raising campaigns for the general public of the location of these refill points; at encouraging the free provision of water intended for human consumption in public buildings, restaurants, shopping and recreational centres, as well as, in particular, areas of transit and large footfall such as at train stations and airports. _________________ 83 COM(2014)177 final COM(2014)177 final 84 COM(2014)177 final, p. 12. COM(2014)177 final, p. 12. 85 Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights (2017/C 428/09) of 17 November 2017 (OJ C 428, 13.12.2017, p. 10).
Amendment 209 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The European Parliament, in its Resolution on the "follow-up to the European citizens’ initiative Right2Water"86 , "requested that Member States should pay special attention to the needs of vulnerable groups in society"87 . The specific situation of minority cultures, such as Roma, Sinti, and Travellers, Kalé, Gens du voyage etc., whether sedentary or not – in particular their lack of access to drinking water and sanitation – was also acknowledged in the Commission Report on the implementation of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies88 and the Council Recommendation on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States89 . The 2016 report from the Fundamental Rights Agency highlights that every third Roma household surveyed lives in a house without tap water and every other Roma family lives without a toilet, shower or bathroom inside their dwelling. A report from the European Roma Rights Centre shows that 40% of Roma surveyed have to climb over fences, cross highways or be confronted by stray dogs while trying to get daily water, which often has not been tested for safety and is exposed to contaminants. It is also of particular concern that a proportion of people in the EU in or facing poverty are at risk of losing access to water due to reasons of financial affordability. For example, the 2013 Report "Our Right to Water: Case Studies on Austerity and Privatisation in Europe"2a found that 5,000 people in Bulgaria are unable to afford their water bills, risking disconnection from the water supply. In light of that general context, it is appropriate that Member States pay particular attention to vulnerable and marginalised groups by taking the necessary measures to ensure that those groups have access to water. Without prejudice to the right of the Member States to define those groups, they should at least include people in or at risk of poverty, refugees, nomadic communities, homeless people and minority cultures such as Roma, Sinti, and Travellers, Kalé, Gens du voyage, etc., whether sedentary or not. Such measures to ensure access, left to the appreciation of the Member States, might for example include providing alternative supply systems (individual treatment devices), providing water via tankers (trucks and cisterns) and ensuring the necessary infrastructure for camps. _________________ 2aRight to Water for All: Case Studies on Austerity and Privatisation in Europe http://www.foodandwatereurope.org/wp- content/uploads/2010/06/FoodandWaterE uropeOurRightToWAter.pdf 86 P8_TA(2015)0294 87 P8_TA(2015)0294, paragraph 62. 88 COM(2014) 209 final 89 Council Recommendation (2013/C 378/01) of 9 December 2013 on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States (OJ C 378, 24.12.2013, p. 1).
Amendment 242 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In particular, this Directive seeks to promote universal access to safe drinking water and, as a result, uphold the principles relating to health care and sanitation, access to services of general economic interest, environmental protection and consumer protection.
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Directive concerns the quality of water intended for human consumption for all in the EU.
Amendment 254 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The objective of this Directive shall be to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean. At the same time, this Directive shall promote universal access to water intended for human consumption.
Amendment 304 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Without prejudice to their obligations under other Union provisions, Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure thatpromote universal access to water intended for human consumption and to ensure that this water is wholesome and clean. For the purposes of the minimum requirements of this Directive, water intended for human consumption shall be wholesome and clean if it meets all the following conditions :
Amendment 499 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – title
Article 13 – title
13 AUniversal access to water intended for human consumption
Amendment 500 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph –1 (new)
Article 13 – paragraph –1 (new)
-1. The right to safe and clean drinking water is recognised as a basic right which is essential for the full enjoyment of life and the realisation of all human rights as set out in UN General Assembly Conventions No 64/292 and No 68/157;
Amendment 521 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) introducing social tariffs or taking alternative measures in order to safeguard vulnerable and marginalised groups in their population who do not have or risk losing access to water intended for human consumption;
Amendment 548 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
(iii) encouragmandating the free provision of such water in restaurants, canteens, and catering services.
Amendment 567 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Pursuant to the data collected under the provisions set out in 15(1a), the Commission shall collaborate with Member States and the European Investment Bank to support municipalities in the Union which lack the necessary capital in order to enable them to access technical assistance, available Union funding and long-term loans at a preferential interest rate, particularly for the purpose of maintaining and renewing water infrastructure in order to ensure the provision of high quality water, and to extend water and sanitation services to vulnerable and marginalised population groups as set out in Article 2(8).
Amendment 572 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that adequate and, up-to-date and accessible information on water intended for human consumption is available online to all persons supplied, in accordance with Annex IV.