L'impact des directives européennes sur le prix de l'eau en France

European directives impact on water price in France

Générale des Eaux - France 52, rue d'Anjou, 75008 Paris

Auteur de correspondance : yvon.mogno@generale-des-eaux.net

Abstract

European directives, and especially that on urban waste water, have had a major impact on water and wastewater services economy in France, owing to the investments they have involved. Moreover - like most other European countries - France is lagging behind in complying with the implementation of these directives, considering what its equipment level is to be, so that investments efforts have to be pursued for several years. Eventually, the "Water Framework Directive" 2000/60/CE, defines quality requirements on water bodies, that existing equipments may not match ; it therefore should again have a strong impact on the cost of water and mainly wastewater services. Given that the costs are going to increase sharply, the question is to know whether all of them should be integrated in the price paid by the consumer.