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Xylem Urges European Commission to go Further With its New Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive

 The European Commission has introduced an initial revision Thirty years since the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) was adopted

 WD News: Xylem officials have welcomed the European Commission’s efforts to advance the European wastewater treatment sector, and urged it to go further.

Thirty years since the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) was adopted, the European Commission has introduced an initial revision. Among the cornerstones of the revised UWWTD are the EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction commitments.

“We welcome the commission’s revised legislation, especially the inclusion of methane emissions during biogas production, but we also urge it to explore reducing process emissions of other GHGs, such as nitrous oxide to drive a net zero approach for utilities – with clear targets and roadmap for reducing those emissions,” said Alexis de Kerchove, Xylem’s Senior Director for Client Sustainability.

“Likewise, it’s paramount to recognise the importance of digitalising the wastewater treatment sector. This will contribute to the EU’s twin digital and green transitions and help wastewater treatment plants implement the directive’s new requirements with minimal greenhouse gas emission and in a cost-effective way,” he added.

A revised UWWTD that considers energy neutrality requirements for wastewater treatment plants will both help cut CO2 emissions and also align with other EU legislation in the fight against climate change, such as the EU Climate Law, Fit for 55 package and RePowerEU. Water and wastewater infrastructure are major GHG contributors, making up approximately 2% of global GHG emissions – on a par with the global shipping industry.

Source: Xylem. Image Courtesy: Pixabay

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