Right-wing muddying the waters at expense of local communities

Today, MEPs have just voted to support a resolution on the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which will override water protection rules. The Greens/EFA Group stand against this roll back of the rules and call for those who pollute water to pay for its treatment.

Jutta Paulus MEP, Greens/EFA Member of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, comments:

“The EPP, in alliance with the far-right, are working against local municipalities and communities, in their ideological desire to rip up the rules at the cost of our waterways and public health.

“The right is muddying the waters when it comes to the rules on municipal waste water treatment. Without clear rules, citizens will be left to foot the bill for water pollution caused by products from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

“Everyone should have access to clean water, those who pollute our waters should pay. Drinking water suppliers will have to spend millions to remove trace substances left over from using pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

“The demand by the Christian Democrats, the right and the far-right creates uncertainty and undermines trust in the EU and local politics. This push to please the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries will come at the expense of communities, public utilities and public budgets.”