What should the euro banknotes look like in the future? The European Central Bank has presented designs, and it is particularly nice that „rivers and birds“ is represented as one of two themes with five different designs. This is intended to reflect the „resilience and diversity of Europe's natural ecosystems“. A wonderful appreciation of bodies of water and our work! Until 21 […]
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the flood disaster, the MUNV provided an update on the current status and further development of flood protection in North Rhine-Westphalia. The report presented breaks down the current status of the implementation of the measures outlined in the 10-point plan. In recent years, the focus of the measures has been on improved reporting channels and an expansion of water level monitoring stations. Furthermore, […]
In a resolution on 18 June 2026, the European Parliament voted by a majority to temporarily suspend extended producer responsibility and the requirements for the fourth purification stage in the new UWWTD. The resolution was adopted by a narrow margin of 294 votes in favour, 245 votes against and 28 abstentions. The resolution emphasises that the introduction of the fourth purification stage […]
Wastewater harbours a largely untapped potential for climate-friendly heating. To better exploit this heat source for the heating transition in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Abwasserwärme NRW initiative has been networking stakeholders from the water industry, energy supply, sewer network operation, and housing industry since 2024. The aim is to promote professional exchange, provide knowledge and facilitate the implementation of specific projects for the utilisation of wastewater heat […]
The Water Package officially came into effect on 10.05.2026. This was preceded by the final approval in the EU Parliament at the end of March 2026. On 17.02.2026, the European Council formally adopted the Water Package. In addition to the Directive on Environmental Quality Standards, the Water Framework Directive and the Groundwater Directive will also be amended. The agw has closely monitored the process in recent years. In particular […]
The EU Restoration Regulation, which came into force in August 2024, obliges all Member States to restore damaged ecosystems such as forests, peatlands, rivers and seas, in order to halt the decline of biodiversity and combat climate change. To this end, measures are to be implemented in all ecosystems requiring restoration by 2050. Accordingly, both in water-related habitat types [...]
From 4 to 7 May 2026, we were present at IFAT at the DWA joint stand. The four days in Munich were characterised by many interesting conversations, exciting encounters and an intensive professional exchange. During the trade fair, we had the opportunity to discuss current topics and developments in [...] with visitors, partners and exhibitors.
On the occasion of IFAT 2026, the latest issue of agw im Fokus will be published as a special English-language edition: agw im Fokus 01/2026.
On 13 and 14 April 2026, the „Lawyer Meets Engineer“ meeting, a regular exchange between lawyers and engineers on energy law in the wastewater industry, took place in Oldenburg at the invitation of the Oldenburg-East Frisian Water Association. Topics surrounding energy legislation at EU and federal level and its impact on the water industry were discussed there. The next exchange will take place in […]
In 2016, the last comprehensive amendment of the association legal provisions of the special legal water associations in NRW was carried out. In the meantime, numerous new legal and political requirements have been placed on water management. These include the new EU Municipal Wastewater Directive with the requirement of energy neutrality, but also politically driven specifications for greater resilience […]