Perspectives for European Water Management Law Report of a conference in Brussels, 3 and 4 April 2008

Abstract

AbstractOn 3rd and 4th April 2008 a conference containing the “Perspectives of European Water Management Law” took place in Brussels with participation of about 80 representatives of the European Commission and universities, authorities, enterprises and associations of the individual Member States of the European Community. The focus of the conference was on the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC and its implementation into national law, whereby the “polluter pays principle” arouse special interest. Another important and controversial topic was whether privatisation of the water sector would be advantageous or disadvantageous in regard to efficient allocation and sustainable environmental protection. Beyond the conference dealt with the public procurement in the water sector in relation to the directive 2004/17/EC, with the reorganisation of European protection against floods in the course of the EU flood directive 2007/60/EC and the effects of climate change on hydrologic balance.