The “Blueprint” outlines actions that concentrate on better implementation of current water legislation, integration of water policy objectives into other policies, and filling the gaps in particular as regards water quantity and efficiency. The objective is to ensure that a sufficient quantity of good quality water is available for people's needs, the economy and the environment throughout the EU.

The Water Blueprint's time horizon is closely related to the EU's 2020 Strategy and, in particular, to the 2011 Resource Efficiency Roadmap, of which the Blueprint is the water milestone. However, the analysis underpinning the Blueprint covers a longer time span, up to 2050, and is expected to drive EU water policy over the long term.

The Communication and reports adopted by the Commission, alongside a variety of supporting background documents can be found here.

• The blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water resources - Communication from the Commission (COM(2012)673 
• Impact Assessment SWD(2012)381 Executive summary
• Impact assessment SWD(2012)382 Part1
• Impact assessment SWD(2012)382 Part 2
• Press release
• Questions and answers

 

3rd Implementation report of the Water Framework Directive : River Basin Management Plans 2009-2015 Report COM(2012)670  (available in all EU languages). European Overview (Commission Staff working document) SWD(2012)379 : SWD(2012)379  Volume 1    SWD(2012)379   Volume 2   Country specific assessments  SWD(2012)379   Volumes 3 - 30 Facts, figures and maps Background documents	Review of the EU policy on water scarcity and droughts - Communication “Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts" from the European Commission adopted [COM(2007)414] Report COM(2012)672 Support document (Commission Staff working document) SWD(2012)380 Background documents	Knowledge base  & supporting background documents : Several EEA reports have shown that, in spite of improvements in recent years, water quality and quantity of European waters remain a cause for concern. The Fitness Check identified strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of current water legislation and coherence  with other EU policy objectives. Based on these reports and other assessments the IA   focused on the identification and assessment of a set of policy options for action at EU level.

 

The Water Blueprint highlights that preserving water is not only about environmental protection, health and well-being, but it is also about economic growth and prosperity. It is a way of ensuring that the EU develops fully its growth potential and that all economic sectors have the water available they need for creating growth and jobs. The Blueprint is supported by the European Innovation Partnership on Water launched in May 2012.