About: water

ECDC: Legionella outbreak may be reduced with appropriate controls

A new community outbreak of Legionella in Belgium's Flanders region renewed public attention to the so-called Legionnaires' disease, which is increasing in the EU, according to the EU agency for infectious diseases control.

EU clean water laws under attack from industry lobbyists

Industry lobbies are mounting a push to roll back EU clean water regulations, even though less than half of the continent’s rivers, wetlands and lakes are in a healthy state. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.

No water, no agriculture

The state of Europe’s water ecosystems puts a big question mark over the future availability of freshwater, for people and for all manner of industry, not least for food production and agriculture, writes Jabier Ruiz.

EU countries call for strict health rules on ‘water contact materials’

An overwhelming majority of member states have voiced support for stricter EU rules on drinking water, saying the same level of safety should apply to products coming in contact with water as for those coming in contact with food.

Time to invest in Europe’s water infrastructure

Europe’s water infrastructure is ageing in all EU member states. The European Commission is at a pivotal moment and should decide to invest during the next MFF (2021-2027) to reap the health and environmental benefits, and to save money in the long term, writes Klara Ramm.

Search for new urban water sparks conflict in parched Malawi

With increasingly prolonged droughts threatening worsening water shortages, Malawi is moving to shore up water supplies to its cities, including building new long-distance pipelines and dams.

How Europe can make its water sector energy neutral

The new EU Drinking Water Directive could be the tool to reduce water losses, cut energy consumption and deliver better quality of water, writes Mads Warming.

Enhancing water security in urban areas

The rise in the urban population worldwide is expected to lead to a 50% increase in demand for energy and water, generating challenges that exert pressure on water resources and threaten global water security, writes Benedito Braga.

Increased drugs’ use threatens aquatic environment, report says

The steady ageing of Europe's population will result in an increased consumption of medicines, which will consequently lead to higher concentrations of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment and pose potential threats to public health, a new study has warned.

Cape Town shares lessons of record drought

Cape Town, South Africa’s second largest city, is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years. Gareth Morgan, trade and investment officer for the city, told EURACTIV.com that the crisis was also an opportunity to seek solutions which could be of use in other parts of Africa.

Climate change exacerbates threat of terrorism

From South America to the Middle East, the effects of climate change appear to exacerbate the problems of organised crime and terrorism. The UN and German think tank Adelphi have raised the alarm. EURACTIV France reports.

European companies compete for water solutions

European companies are competing in the petri-dish of innovative projects looking to provide water solutions in the arid lands of the eastern Arabian Peninsula, writes Stuart Reigeluth.

Europe leads sustainable development agenda

Sustainability should be integrated as a leitmotif and goal of every policy formulated and implemented, writes Stuart Reigeluth.

Food security in the face of climate change: Impossible without water

Development agencies must use the momentum from COP22 to prioritise water infrastructure projects and help mitigate the effects of climate change and extreme weather events in Africa, write Elke Herrfahrdt-Pähle and Waltina Scheumann.

Israeli water chief: ‘You must talk to neighbours to avoid climate change conflicts’

Israel is one of the world leaders in water desalination. But now it faces a new challenge - climate change. EURACTIV.com spoke with the Deputy Director General of Israel's Water and Sewage Authority, Oded Fixler.

EU must guarantee the safety of materials and products in contact with drinking water

Materials that come into contact with drinking water must be fit for purpose. A common, EU-wide approach is needed to protect health and break down barriers to the single market, writes Claudia Castell-Exner.

The Internet of Things can help achieve the SDGs

The Internet of Things already promises to transform daily life in rich countries.  And a new generation of farming and healthcare techniques is improving the quality of life of the world's poorest populations. Our partner La Tribune reports.

Dams create breeding grounds for malaria in Africa

Large dams in sub-Saharan Africa may be responsible for at least one million cases of malaria every year, according to a recent study. Journal de l'Environnement reports. 

Puerto Rico hopes storms will ease drought

Puerto Rico hopes that tropical systems Danny and Erika dump enough rain on the Caribbean island to avert the need for intensifying water rationing brought on by a severe drought.

Billions lack toilets, says World Health Organisation report

Toilets are taken for granted in the industrialised West, but are a luxury for a third of the world’s people, according to a report by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF.

UK faces European court over coal plant emissions

Brussels will haul the UK into court for breaching emissions limits of the toxic pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NOx) at its coal-fired Aberthaw power plant in Wales, the bloc announced on Thursday.

Thousands march in Dublin against Irish water charges

Tens of thousands took to the streets of Dublin on Saturday (21 March) in the latest mass protest against new water charges, which have sparked widespread public anger.