Water is a vital precondition for life. Increasingly referred to as the “blue gold”, this irreplaceable resource is what enables the existence of mankind on planet earth
Its importance to human beings derives not only from its various applications in daily life, but also from the fact that it actually constitutes a large part of the human body itself. Hence, water is not merely something that human beings need – it is part of what they are.
Issues surrounding global water resources are becoming more and more prevalent, as factors such as climate change, population growth and pollution continue to take their toll on one of the planet’s most precious assets. Having recognised the pivotal role that water will play in the 21st century, EU member states have been undertaking collective efforts to support water management improvements in some of the world’s poorest nations.
Yet concerns over water security reach beyond the borders of far away countries; water-related challenges equally linger on European doorsteps. As a recent Eurobarometer survey revealed, some 68% of Europeans believe that water-related problems are serious, expressing concerns about quality and quantity alike. When it comes to tackling these problems, the majority of citizens expect the European Union to rush to the rescue, with some 73% of respondents expressing a need for more action at EU level.
The European Union has not turned a blind eye to the challenges ahead. Over the past four decades, Brussels has been establishing an extensive water policy for the region, in order to tackle water-related issues. Through its Water Framework Directive, the EU has set up a tool that allows for the protection of water resources across Europe. Its aim is to ensure that all waters, including both ground and surface waters, are in a sound state by 2015.
However, progress in this direction has been jeopardised by a range of factors, including the impacts of climate change and pollution to name but two. In order to counteract these developments, the European Union is currently drawing up a ‘Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Waters’, which is to be finalised by the end of this year. The blueprint aims to scan current initiatives for any shortcomings and identify the priorities moving forward. It focuses on a range of water-related aspects. These include establishing sustainable drainage systems in urban areas, making buildings more water efficient and striking a balance between future water demand and supply.
The blueprint will be accompanied by a ‘European Innovation Partnership’ (EIP) on water. This project was recently approved by EU member states, with the aim to promote the development of innovative solutions to future water challenges. Besides its environmental benefits, the Innovation Partnership is also expected to generate opportunities for economic growth and job creation. By introducing its innovations to the market, the European Union can boost its competitiveness and take on a pioneering position in global water technologies.
For Maltese citizens, the sense of urgency that underlies discussions about water is certainly nothing new. The Maltese islands have been listed amongst those European countries with a particularly high water stress index. Just as in other increasingly dry regions of Southern Europe, water providers in Malta are therefore resorting to desalination more frequently, in order to cover shortfalls in freshwater supplies.
That said, the progress made on a number of water-related issues is already providing reason to be cheerful. At the outset of the summer season, for instance, the latest Bathing Water Report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission brought some good news for holiday-makers across the continent, with 92.1% of bathing waters in the European Union meeting the quality standards set out in the EU’s ‘Bathing Water Directive’. Maltese beaches ranked amongst the best performing beaches in Europe, along with Cyprus, Croatia and Greece.
The EU has already made great strides when it comes to improving water quality in Europe. As the Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik, pointed out, the quality of both European drinking and bathing water has improved significantly, while effective wastewater treatment has been disseminated in many urban areas across Europe. In view of both persisting and emerging challenges, however, it is becoming increasingly evident that more needs to be done in order to adequately protect global water resources in the future.
Water resources transgress national boundaries, connecting people across different regions of the world. While this poses various challenges, it also puts the European Union in a powerful position, where it can utilise its cooperative strength to ensure that future water supplies meet both the needs of the people and the environment, ensuring the plentiful availability of our “blue gold” for generations to come.