Danube water quality sees little improvement due to 'lack of ambition': EU auditors

There has been little improvement in water quality along the Danube, despite countries in the river basin implementing the European Union (EU) water framework directive since 2004, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors released Monday.

The audit focused on four EU member states in the Danube river basin: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

The auditors highlighted "lack of ambition" in the countries' plans as the main reason for the limited progress.

"EU water policy should ensure a sufficient quantity of good-quality water for people's needs and for the environment," said George Pufan, the member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the report.

"For that to happen along the Danube, countries need to step up their efforts," added Pufan.

The auditors made a number of recommendations to the member states including improving monitoring and diagnosis systems for water pollution, providing clear and valid justifications when granting exemptions, identifying cost-effective measures to be targeted, and considering charges or taxation to discourage emissions.

To the European Commission, the auditors recommended that it should provide guidelines for differentiated reporting on progress; examine binding criteria for member state inspections of urban waste water treatment plants; consider limiting phosphorus application on land; and provide guidance on cost recovery in relation to environmental damage caused by diffuse pollution.

Moreover, the Commission and the member states should jointly assess the effectiveness of the enforcement mechanisms in agriculture, stressed the report. Endit