PFAS Phase Out: A Prerequisite for a Water-Resilient Europe

PFAS Phase Out: A Prerequisite for a Water-Resilient Europe

On January 13, 2025, the European Federation of National Associations of Water Services published a paper titled PFAS Phase Out: A Prerequisite for a Water-Resilient Europe.” The authors emphasize the ongoing threat that PFAS poses to human health and the environment, urging the European Commission to ban these hazardous chemicals immediately.

PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” are present in our food, air, water, and daily products. Their persistence, mobility, and toxicity pose substantial challenges for water services across Europe. Additional treatment technologies are required to remove these chemicals from the water cycle, but they are both costly and energy-intensive.

The economic impact of addressing PFAS is concerning. The Forever Pollution Project, a European cross-border interdisciplinary investigation, highlights the staggering cost of cleaning PFAS contamination in Europe if emissions remain uncontrolled. The water sector alone could face an increase of up to €18 billion per year for treating drinking water. The estimated costs for treating wastewater and managing sewage sludge are expected to be even higher.

To protect Europe’s water resources and societal resilience, we urge policymakers to:

  1. Enact a universal PFAS ban with allowances for essential applications under strict conditions.
  2. Implement the polluter-pays principle to ensure those responsible for PFAS pollution bear the financial burden.
  3. Support innovation by investing in PFAS-free alternatives and advanced removal technologies.

Europe and the EU have an opportunity to guide the global transition towards PFAS-free solutions. Regulation fosters innovation, and with a ban, we can protect water resilience, public health, and societal well-being.

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