The EU commission announced on 22 July that the EU water protection directive will remain unchanged. The natur&ëmwelt environmental organisation welcomed this decision as a number of member states had pushed for some regulations to be weakened.
According to the organisation, it is the duty of the EU commission to do everything in its power to implement the regulations of the directive in member states across Europe. Some measures turned out to be more challenging and time-consuming to implement than officials had initially estimated, their statement reads.
The organisation added that Luxembourg should also start to protect its waterways more efficiently. Only 3% of the country's waterways are in good condition - despite numerous campaigns, measures, and the reform of the national water management over the last years. Natur&emwelt said in this context that Luxembourg is on the right track but still far away from meeting the national and European targets.
The organisation concluded that Luxembourg's Ministry of the Environment must coordinate efforts with the EU commission and make sure that waterways and surface water are safeguarded.
