The Urban Waste Water Directive
The purpose of the EU Urban Waste Water Directive is to combat damage to the environment
caused by wastewater discharges from urban areas and certain industrial
processes. The requirements imposed by the Directive include the following:
• All built-up areas (with reference to their size and location) must have collection systems
for wastewater by year-end 1998, 2000 or 2005.
• The water piped into collection systems must undergo at least secondary treatment.
In general, this entails biological treatment or some other process whereby set quality
standards can be met.
• Treated wastewater must meet certain minimum water-quality standards.
• Wastewater discharges in ‘sensitive areas’ (waters vulnerable to the effects of nutrient
inputs) are subject to stringent requirements concerning effective treatment.