Council Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste water treatment.

Subject

Water

Keyword

Pollution control Effluent waste water/discharge Freshwater pollution Surface water Waste domestic sources Waste non-domestic sources Basin/catchment/watershed Inland waters

Geographical area

European Union Countries

Entry into force notes

The Directive shall be in force as from 29 May 1991.

Abstract

The objective of the Directive is to protect the environment from the adverse effects of urban waste water discharges. For this purpose, it concerns the collection, treatment and discharge of urban waste water and the treatment and discharge of waste water from certain industrial sectors. The areas into which urban waste water entering collecting systems shall be discharged are divided into: (a) sensitive areas; and (b) less sensitive areas. According to the criteria given in Annex II, the former include: (a) natural freshwater lakes, other freshwater bodies, estuaries and coastal waters which are found to be eutrophic or which in the near future may become eutrophic if protective action is not taken; (b) surface freshwater intended for the abstraction of drinking water; (c) areas where further treatment than that prescribed in this Directive is necessary to fulfil Council Directives. As far as the latter is concerned the following elements shall be taken into consideration when identifying less sensitive areas: open bays, estuaries and other coastal waters with a good water exchange and not subject to eutrophication or oxygen depletion or which are considered unlikely to become eutrophic or to develop oxygen depletion due to the discharge of urban waste water. Annex I concerns the requirements for urban waste water. In particular, it regards collecting systems, the discharge from urban waste water treatment plants to receiving waters, industrial waste water, reference methods for monitoring and evaluation of results. Further provisions concern the reuse of treated waste water whenever appropriate.

Full text

English

Website

europa.eu

References - Legislation

Implemented by

Act on keeping cleanness in communes.

Legislation | Poland | 1996 (2013)

Keyword: Pollution control, Environmental standards, Waste management, Waste prevention, Organic waste

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Wastes Act.

Legislation | Poland | 2001 (2007) | Repealed

Keyword: Waste management, Waste prevention, Recycling/reuse, Policy/planning, Transport/storage

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree No. 390 of 2006 concerning agriculture and environment management.

Legislation | Netherlands | 2006

Keyword: Soil pollution/quality, Plant production, Fertilizers/nutrients, Transport/storage, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. No. 187 of 2007).

Legislation | United Kingdom | 2007

Keyword: Pollution control, Institution, Authorization/permit, Inspection, Data collection/reporting, Sewerage, Basin/catchment/watershed, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Brandenburg Municipal Waste Water Ordinance.

Legislation | Germany | 1998 (2011)

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Hazardous substances, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Ordinance.

Legislation | Germany | 1996

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Data collection/reporting, Enforcement/compliance, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 254 of 2001).

Legislation | Ireland | 2001

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Water conservation zone, Effluent waste water/discharge, Monitoring, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Ordinance.

Legislation | Germany | 1997 (2001)

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Industrial water use, Inspection, Monitoring, Surface water, Offences/penalties, Data collection/reporting, Enforcement/compliance, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Ordinance.

Legislation | Germany | 1997 (2005)

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Industrial water use, Inspection, Monitoring, Offences/penalties, Data collection/reporting, Enforcement/compliance, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act on keeping cleanness in communes.

Legislation | Poland | 1996 (2022)

Keyword: Pollution control, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment, Waste management, Waste prevention, Organic waste

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Canal Law 1988.

Legislation | Austria | 1988 (2013)

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Surface water, Groundwater

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Tyrol Canalization Law 2000.

Legislation | Austria | 2000

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Sewerage, Environmental standards, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation on the emission of substances in the discharge of waste water from urban wastewater treatment.

Legislation | Slovenia | 2007

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Wetlands, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation on the emission of substances in the discharge of waste water from plants dealing with the production of food for human consumption and animal feed.

Legislation | Slovenia | 2007 (2022)

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste non-domestic sources

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation on the emission of substances in the discharge of waste water from plants dealing with the production of alcoholic and soft drinks.

Legislation | Slovenia | 2007

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste non-domestic sources

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Order No. 1448 on waste water permits in adherence to Environmental Protection Act, Chapter 3 and 4.

Legislation | Denmark | 2007

Keyword: Pollution control, Groundwater, Hazardous waste, Soil conservation/soil improvement, Authorization/permit, Effluent waste water/discharge, Sewerage, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Ordinance on the implementation of the Council Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste water treatment.

Legislation | Germany | 1997 (2000)

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Sewerage, Surface water, Industrial water use, Waste non-domestic sources, Monitoring, Data collection/reporting, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Urban Waste Water Ordinance.

Legislation | Germany | 1997 (2010)

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Industrial water use, Inspection, Offences/penalties, Enforcement/compliance, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act on collective water supply and Collective Discharge of Waste Water.

Legislation | Poland | 2001 (2018)

Keyword: Waste domestic sources, Waste management, Sewerage, Water supply, Potable water, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree No. 140 of 1996 containing rules relative to the discharge of urban waste water.

Legislation | Netherlands | 1996

Keyword: Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Authorization/permit, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree relative to cleaning of discharged water (No. 912 of 1996).

Legislation | Norway | 1996

Keyword: Waste management, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Authorization/permit, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation No. 6 establishing emission standards for acceptable content of hazardous and dangerous substances in waste water discharged into water bodies.

Legislation | Bulgaria | 2000 (2004)

Keyword: Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Hazardous substances, Waste domestic sources, Waste management, Waste non-domestic sources, Monitoring, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment, Waste disposal, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation No. 7 making provision in matter of industrial waste water discharges into urban sewerage systems.

Legislation | Bulgaria | 2000

Keyword: Waste management, Waste non-domestic sources, Effluent waste water/discharge, Hazardous substances, Standards, Waste disposal, Sewerage, Environmental standards, Protection of environment, Pollution control, Industrial water use, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree containing rules relative to greenhouse cultivation and some selected agricultural enterprises.

Legislation | Netherlands | 2002 (2010)

Keyword: Energy conservation/energy production, Plant production, Planting material/seeds, Internal trade, Pollution control, Drainage/land reclamation, Effluent waste water/discharge, Water quality standards, Fertilizers/nutrients, Freshwater pollution, Groundwater, Hazardous substances, Pesticides, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree-Law No. 152/97 adopting Council Directive No. 91/271/CEE, 21 May 1991, regarding urban wastewater treatment.

Legislation | Portugal | 1997

Keyword: Waste disposal, Effluent waste water/discharge, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Offences/penalties, Waste management, Freshwater pollution, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Treatment (Scotland) Regulations 1994 (S.S.I. No. No. 2842 (S.144) of 1994).

Legislation | United Kingdom | 1994

Keyword: Pollution control, Institution, Authorization/permit, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Inspection, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree No. 334 of 2000 containing environment protection rules for equipment and installations used in construction and wood processing enterprises.

Legislation | Netherlands | 2000

Keyword: Timber, Non-timber products, Processing/handling, Pollution control, Ecofriendly products/ecofriendly processes, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Arrêté du 30 avril 2004 relatif aux prescriptions applicables aux installations classées pour la protection de l'environnement soumises à autorisation sous la rubrique n° 2210 « abattage d'animaux ».

Legislation | France | 2004

Keyword: Pollution control, Soil pollution/quality, Hygiene/sanitary procedures, Animal health, Slaughtering, Classification/declassification, Freshwater pollution, Water quality standards

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 2841 of 1994).

Legislation | United Kingdom | 1994

Keyword: Pollution control, Institution, Authorization/permit, Inspection, Sewerage, Basin/catchment/watershed, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation on indicators and values of acceptable pollution of surface waters and waste waters, on permits to discharge waste waters into surface water and sewerage, and on sensitive areas.

Legislation | Czechia | 2003

Keyword: Surface water, Water quality standards, Water supply, Classification/declassification

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act amending and supplementing the Act on water supply and public sewerage.

Legislation | Slovakia | 2009

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Waste domestic sources

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Legislative Decree No. 152 concerning the protection of waters against pollution and implementing Directive 91/271 concerning urban wastewater treatment and Directive 91/676 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, integrated and amended by Legislative Decree No. 258 on the protection of waters against pollution.

Legislation | Italy | 1999 (2000)

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree No. 468 of 2007 containing rules relative to the discharge of household waste water.

Legislation | Netherlands | 2007 (2015)

Keyword: Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Authorization/permit, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Treatment Ordinance.

Legislation | Germany | 1992 (2014)

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Pollution Control (Discharge of Urban Waste Water) Regulations, 2003 (P.I. 772/2003).

Legislation | Cyprus | 2003

Keyword: Pollution control, Waste disposal, Authorization/permit, Waste management, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree No. 28 of 2004 (XII. 25.) KvVM of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Water Management concerning emission standards of water-pollutant substances and laying down rules of application.

Legislation | Hungary | 2004 (2013)

Keyword: Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Hazardous substances, Pollution control, Rainwater, Surface water, Water quality standards, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment, Inland waters, Sewerage, Waste non-domestic sources, Waterworks

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree on the method of assessment of the status of surface water bodies, method of assessing the ecological potential of heavily modified and artificial bodies of surface water and the details on the program of the assessment of surface water.

Legislation | Czechia | 2011

Keyword: Surface water, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Water quality standards, Monitoring, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Ordinance.

Legislation | Germany | 1997 (1999)

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Enforcement/compliance, Offences/penalties, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Ordinance.

Legislation | Germany | 1997 (2000)

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Enforcement/compliance, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Ordinance on treatment of urban waste water.

Legislation | Germany | 2000

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Treatment Ordinance.

Legislation | Germany | 1996 (2011)

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Groundwater, Effluent waste water/discharge, Allocation/quota, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Real Decreto Nº 509/1996 - Desarrolla el Real Decreto-Ley Nº 11/1995, que establece normas aplicables al tratamiento de las aguas residuales urbanas. Texto consolidado.

Legislation | Spain | 1996 (2015)

Keyword: Pollution control, Soil conservation/soil improvement, Soil pollution/quality, Soil rehabilitation, Environmental audit, Environmental planning, Environmental standards, Registration, Waste management, Protected area, Protection of habitats, Water quality standards, Marine pollution, Policy/planning, Standards, Protection of environment, Waste disposal, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste, Industrial water use, Monitoring, Organic waste

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Real Decreto-Ley Nº 11/1995 - Normas aplicables al tratamiento de las aguas residuales urbanas. Texto consolidado.

Legislation | Spain | 1995 (1995)

Keyword: Pollution control, Soil conservation/soil improvement, Soil pollution/quality, Soil rehabilitation, Environmental audit, Environmental planning, Environmental standards, Registration, Waste management, Protected area, Protection of habitats, Water quality standards, Marine pollution, Policy/planning, Standards, Protection of environment, Waste disposal, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste, Industrial water use, Monitoring, Organic waste

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Order No. 231 on quality requirements for environmental measurements.

Legislation | Denmark | 2014

Keyword: Authorization/permit, Inspection, Air quality/air pollution, Biological control agents, Groundwater, Hazardous substances, Inland waters, Monitoring, Pollution control, Environmental audit, Environmental standards, Certification, Standards, Protection of environment, Surface water, Protected area, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Decree No. 220 of 2004 (VII. 21.) Korm. of the Government providing rules on the protection of surface waters quality.

Legislation | Hungary | 2004 (2014)

Keyword: Offences/penalties, Hazardous substances, Data collection/reporting, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Authorization/permit, Inspection, Sewerage, Environmental standards, Pollution control, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regional Act No. 4 on urgent provisions for the protection of waters.

Legislation | Italy | 2012

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation on initial measurements and operational monitoring of waste water and on conditions for its implementation.

Legislation | Slovenia | 2011

Keyword: Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Hazardous substances, Water quality standards, Monitoring

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Law No. 272 “On water”.

Legislation | Moldova, Republic of | 2011 (2018)

Keyword: Framework law, Basic legislation, Policy/planning, Surface water, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Potable water, Water supply, Water rights, Water shortage/drought, Effluent waste water/discharge, Waterworks, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Public participation, EIA, Authorization/permit, Freshwater resources management

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Urban Waste Water Treatment.

Legislation | Germany | 1997

Keyword: Effluent waste water/discharge, Sewerage, Industrial water use, Enforcement/compliance, Offences/penalties, Environmental standards, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Order No. 1399 on monitoring of surface water, groundwater, protected areas and natural surveillance in international nature conservation areas.

Legislation | Denmark | 2014

Keyword: Monitoring, Environmental audit, Pollution control, Water conservation zone, Ecosystem preservation, Protection of habitats, Protected area, Surface water, Groundwater, Standards, Basin/catchment/watershed, Freshwater pollution, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Order No. 1311 on quality requirements for environmental measurements.

Legislation | Denmark | 2015

Keyword: Inspection, Air quality/air pollution, Biological control agents, Environmental standards, Certification, Pollution control, Environmental audit, Standards, Protection of environment, Monitoring, Hazardous substances, Waste disposal, Waste management, Surface water, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Pollution Control (Sensitive Areas for Urban Waste Water Discharge) Regulations, 2004 (P.I. 111/2004).

Legislation | Cyprus | 2004

Keyword: Pollution control, Waste disposal, Waste management, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Act No. 364/2004.

Legislation | Slovakia | 2004 (2022)

Keyword: Basic legislation, Authorization/permit, Early warning system, Flood, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Freshwater resources management, Water supply, Potable water, Surface water, Water quality standards, Groundwater

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation on indicators and values of acceptable pollution of surface waters and waste waters, on permits to discharge waste waters into surface water and sewerage, and on sensitive areas.

Legislation | Czechia | 2015

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Basin/catchment/watershed, Potable water, Water quality standards, Monitoring, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Act (2019)

Legislation | Estonia | 2019 (2023)

Keyword: Potable water, Internal trade, Marine area, EEZ-Exclusive Economic Zone, Research, Authorization/permit, Maritime zone, Framework law, Freshwater pollution, Freshwater resources management, Pollution control, Water quality standards, Sustainable use, Water abstraction, Water supply, Enforcement/compliance, Thermal and medicinal waters, Sewerage, Effluent waste water/discharge, Flood, Risk assessment/management, Groundwater, Coastal zone management, Hazardous substances, International relations/cooperation, Special fund, Liability/compensation, Hazards, Early warning system, Environmental planning, Environmental standards, Inland waters, Monitoring, Public health, Recreational water use, Surface water, Sustainable development, Policy/planning, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Waste Act.

Legislation | Poland | 2012 (2022)

Keyword: Basic legislation, Waste management, Waste disposal, Recycling/reuse, Waste prevention, Polluter pays principle, Hazardous waste, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Law.

Legislation | Poland | 2017 (2023)

Keyword: Framework law, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Flood, Water shortage/drought, Liability/compensation, Offences/penalties, Water supply, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Sustainable development

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 1082 of 2010 on Procedure by Which Polluting Activities of Category A, B and C Shall Be Declared and Permits for the Performance of Category A and B Polluting Activities Shall Be Issued

Legislation | Latvia | 2010 (2014)

Keyword: Pollution control, Authorization/permit, Classification/declassification, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 34 of 2002 on Discharge of Polluting Substances into Water

Legislation | Latvia | 2002 (2013)

Keyword: Waste disposal, Water charges, Pollution control, Waste domestic sources, Water conservation zone, Monitoring, Access-to-information, Surface water, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation on substances particularly harmful to the aquatic environment and conditions to be met when discharging sewage into waters or into the ground, as well as when discharging rainwater or snowmelt into water or into water facilities.

Legislation | Poland | 2019

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Amended by

Commission Directive 98/15/EC amending Council Directive 91/271/EEC with respect to certain requirements established in Annex I thereof.

Legislation | European Union | 1998

Keyword: Pollution control, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution, Surface water, Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Other references

Cited by

Commission of the European Communities v Italian Republic

Jurisprudence | International court | European Union, Italy | Apr 25, 2002

Keyword: Effluent waste standards, Effluent waste water/discharge, Water quality standards, Basin/catchment/watershed, Waste management

Source: UNEP, InforMEA

Cited by

Commission of the European Communities, applicant, v. French Republic, defendant

Jurisprudence | International court | European Union, France | Sep 23, 2004

Keyword: Effluent waste water/discharge, Toxicity/poisoning, Water quality standards

Source: UNEP, InforMEA

Cited by

Commission of the European Communities, applicant v. Ireland, defendant

Jurisprudence | International court | European Union, Ireland | Apr 26, 2005

Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Waste management

Source: UNEP, InforMEA

Cited by

Commission of the European Communities v. Republic of Finland

Jurisprudence | International court | European Union, Finland, Sweden | Oct 6, 2009

Keyword: Recycling/reuse, Environmental technology, Effluent waste water/discharge, Public health, Waste domestic sources, Water quality standards

Source: UNEP, InforMEA