Key messages: Since 2000, the proportion of the EU population connected to wastewater treatment has been steadily increasing, with 81% connected to at least secondary wastewater treatment in 2021.

Population connected to wastewater treatment at least at the secondary level in the EU-27, 2000–2021

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References and footnotes

  1. EU, 1991, Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment (OJ L 135, 30.5.1991, pp. 40-52).
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  2. EC, 2022, Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL concerning urban wastewater treatment (recast), (https://environment.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-10/Proposal%20for%20a%20Directive%20concerning%20urban%20wastewater%20treatment%20%28recast%29.pdf) accessed 8 May 2023, European Commission.
  3. Eurostat, 2023, ‘Population connected to at least secondary wastewater treatment’, Eurostat (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/SDG_06_20__custom_2644378/bookmark/table?lang=en&bookmarkId=7a5cd3ed-6dda-48f7-8ebf-be77ce9b2277) accessed 9 January 2024.