Danube, Meuse and Rhine MEMORANDUM 2008

Abstract

Around 160 drinking water supply companies have joined forces in these organizations. Their common strategy and vision for the provision of drinking water is set out in this memorandum. These companies feel responsible for the sustainable use of water resources, which is even more important in view of possible climate changes. The provision of drinking water must be given priority over all other uses for water bodies. Their goal is to achieve a water quality that allows them to produce drinking water using only natural treatment methods. The precondition for the provision of drinking water, according to this principle, is the extensive protection of the water resources. This preventive water protection, also in the interests of sustainability, must be given top priority. This applies to the drinking water companies themselves as well as to all other social or economic stakeholders that use water resources in many different ways. The protection of water bodies is a common social responsibility. In order to achieve this goal, the associations published the Ground Water Memorandum in 2004, and have now written this Danube, Meuse and Rhine Memorandum 2008, which is based on the IAWR Rhine Memorandum of 2003 and the Danube Memorandum. The Danube, Meuse and Rhine MEMORANDUM 2008, which refers to the implementation process of the EU Water Framework Directive and its subdirectives, puts forward concrete requirements for sustainable water protection with target values for surface water quality. The memorandum also takes the drinking water interests in the Elbe river basin into account. This memorandum is intended to assist and guide politicians, authorities and decision-makers in industry and water management to make the necessary quality improvement of surface water bodies providing drinking water. Environ Sci Pollut Res (2009) 16 (Suppl 1):S112–S115 DOI 10.1007/s11356-009-0127-3