It is already known that the reduction of PFAS and other ‘forever chemicals’ will for the time being be limited to ‘more and better control’ by individual EU countries, and that a (European) PFAS ban will not take place for now. There is still no clarity regarding the cleanup of contaminated (soil) sites and requiring polluting companies to contribute financially.
The European approach to water quality has been under pressure for some time. New rules are meant to ensure cleaner drinking and surface water but face practical and political challenges. A key element is improving the measurement and control of pollution. EU countries must collect and share data more frequently and systematically. This should provide better insight into the extent of the problem.
Substances that are difficult to break down play a central role. These persist in the environment for a long time and accumulate in organisms. That makes them hard to remove and a continuing concern for water quality.
Promotion
Firefighting Foam
Last week Commissioner Roswall, together with Dutch Deputy Minister Annet Bertram (CDA), paid a working visit to a firefighting exercise site at the former Soesterberg military airbase. There, firefighting teams practiced for decades with foam and extinguishing agents containing PFAS, which are now present in the soil to a depth of more than 10 meters.
Cleanup
The cleanup of this ‘chemical waste’ at that location will cost many tens of millions of euros, although the technology for doing so is still in its infancy. A residential neighborhood is currently being developed at the former airbase, but passing on the multimillion-euro cleanup costs in the housing prices would make those homes unaffordable.
The discussion also suggests that stricter source controls could be more effective. For example, limiting or stopping the production of certain substances is mentioned. A production ban prevents pollution. However, this approach is not part of the core of current European policy.
Polluter Pays?
Although the goal of cleaner water is widely shared, opinions differ on responsibilities and the manner in which measures should be implemented. The question is whether the principle of ‘the polluter pays’ is applied here as well; or whether the costs of soil cleanup must be borne by chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
Questions about technical data also play a role. Differences in measurement methods and reporting cause uncertainty about the extent of pollution and the contributions of various sectors. The industry uses different figures than policymakers and EU politicians in Brussels.
The revision of the rules is part of a broader approach to combating water pollution. It is not only about one type of substance but a whole range of polluters that together put pressure on the quality of European water. The use of chemicals in agriculture also continues to play a major role.