Water Europe has released a new Position Paper titled “Closing the Loop: Water as a Strategic Resource for the Circular Economy Act and Competitiveness”, calling for water to be placed at the heart of the forthcoming EU Circular Economy Act. This paper highlights the vital concepts of water reuse, nutrient recovery, and the creation of innovative, water-smart industrial ecosystems.
Why water is the heartbeat of the Circular Economy Act
Water is a critical raw material that underpins Europe’s competitiveness and resource independence, representing 10% of all waste generated in the EU in 2022; yet it remains undervalued. By accelerating a water-smart circular economy that views waste as a valuable resource, we can strengthen the EU’s environmental and climate ambitions.
Key recommendations
To pave the way for a water-smart and circular Europe, Water Europe proposes:
- Promote water reuse and efficiency beyond irrigation, to reduce pressures on freshwater resources
- View wastewater treatment plants as urban mines and modernise regulations to boost nutrient and resource recovery
- Harmonise end-of-waste criteria & quality standards to create a level playing field where secondary raw materials can compete fairly with primary materials
- Stimulate markets for secondary raw materials via circular criteria in public procurement
- Encourage Member States to allow more flexible investment frameworks for circular infrastructure
A new pathway for a circular water sector
The new Circular Economy Act presents an opportunity to integrate opportunities from the water sector into Europe’s broader circular transformation. Our goals? Minimise water losses, recover nutrients and energy, and foster robust reuse across industrial, agricultural, and urban landscapes.
This paper reflects Water Europe’s commitment to driving innovation and circularity as a key component of Europe’s water resilience and competitiveness.
Read the full Position Paper here.
