The European Union is taken for cleaning water bodies from chemical pollutants (video)

A third of European territory (34%) suffers from lack of water and pollution of the existing one. Now industrialists will be obliged to clean water from the “eternal pollutants” – PFAS.

How to deal with chemical pollution of water bodies

The European Commission announced the launch of a major initiative to clean the reservoirs of especially persistent chemical compounds – PFAS. We are talking about perfo -abtocular and polyfetorcolor substances, which in EU They are called “eternal pollutants” because of their extremely stable structure. The new plan is presented within the framework of the European strategy of sustainable water use adopted in Brussels, tells Bb.lv.

The key goal is to create a public-private partnership, in the framework of which a business that uses PFAS will participate in financing water purification. This means that manufacturers applying these substances will be required to take on part of the costs on the principle: you pollute – pay.

The state of reservoirs in Europe is worried

According to the European Environmental Protection Agency, already in 2022 in 59% of rivers, 35% of lakes and 73% of the coastal zones, the PFAS concentration exceeded the established standards. In general, only 37% of surface water in the EU can be considered environmentally friendly, and “chemically clean” – only 29%.

Environmental organizations express disappointment due to the fact that, in their opinion, measures have been taken too late. “We expected more tough steps in the fight against pollution, especially from pesticides. Current measures look insufficiently ambitious, ”comments Angeliks Lisimah from the European network to combat pesticides.

What is PFAS and where they are used

PFAS is substances resistant to destruction in the environment. Some of them are recognized by carcinogens, health harm is estimated at 52–84 billion euros annually. These compounds are part of anti -stick utensils, medical products, fire supply foam, packaging, and are also used for water -repellent impregnation of clothing and shoes.

The European Commissioner for Ecology, Jessica Rozuoll in an interview with Euronews, said she supports the ban on PFAS, at least in cosmetics and packaging of food products. However, in some sectors it is still impossible to replace them:

“The problem is that PFAS is still necessary in medical devices, in the defense industry, in semiconductors and other high -tech industries. There are simply no alternatives here. ”

Who and how will pay for cleaning

The calculations of the European Commission show that the complete purification of water from the PFAS to the EU will cost from 5 to 100 billion euros annually. Brussels intends to shift these costs for industrial enterprises. However, there are nuances: for example, the removal of some types of PFAS, such as triftoKosic acid (TFUK), is extremely laborious. This process requires the complete removal of minerals from the water with the subsequent restoration of their composition – the procedure is expensive and energy -consuming. “You lose a lot of water and consume more energy,” the Angeliks emphasize Lisimakh.

New Water Strategy of Europe

The adopted European strategy for the stability of water resources is focused on restoring the water balance and ensuring access to high -quality and affordable water in the price. This is especially important in the conditions of frequent droughts and floods. To date, 34% of the EU is experienced by water deficiency.

“Water is life. We need to ensure its safety for citizens, farmers, nature and economics, ”said the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Lyain. “The new strategy offers the path to sustainable water management – smart, competitive and viable.” Additionally planned:

• expand the informing of society through public discussions;
• strengthen investment in the modernization of water infrastructure;
• support digital monitoring through the European satellite surveillance program Copernicus;
• stimulate the development of environmental innovations.

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