Commission launches dialogues with Member States to ensure sustainable water management across Europe
As part of the implementation of the EU Water Resilience Strategy, the Commission is launching a series of Structured Water Dialogues with Member States, to jointly accelerate action to achieve the environmental objectives of EU water legislation.
According to the latest report on the state of water in the EU, only 39.5% of EU surface water bodies are achieving good ecological status, and only 26.8% achieving good chemical status.
The report found that, while some advancements have been made towards reaching EU targets for water quality, quantity and flood preparedness, faster progress is needed across Europe to protect waters and better manage flood risks.
The dialogues aim to assist Member States in complying with the country-specific recommendations to improve water management by 2027, formulated in the context of the latest assessment of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
The Dialogues, to be conducted between 2025-2027 with each Member State, will involve preparatory technical meetings between the Commission and national administrations and will culminate in a political discussion led by Commissioner Roswall and the relevant Minister(s) responsible for water management.
The outcomes of these dialogues will represent a considerable step towards achieving water resilience in the EU.
We can expect stricter requirements for sectors with a high water footprint (agri-food, energy, chemicals, mining), with the risk of tighter controls under: the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD), the Nitrates Directive, and the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Furthermore, Germany has just been condemned: this is a clear signal that states will have to meet stricter obligations.
But this should also be seen as an opportunity, as the EU is positioning water resilience as a strategic pillar: innovation, financing, and water technologies are being promoted.
Furthermore, the launch of the New European Water Academy in 2026 offers potential for partnerships, training, and recognition of technical skills.
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