Miengo wastewater treatment plant

EN E-006304/2018 Answer given by Mr Vella on behalf of the European Commission (19.2.2019) The Commission is not aware of the construction of the wastewater treatment plant in the Municipality of Miengo, part of which is designated as Site of Community Importance “Dunas de Liencres y Estuario del Pas” (ES1300004) under Directive 92/43/EEC, close to the site “Espacio marino de los Islotes de Portios-Isla Conejera-Isla de Mouro” (ES0000492) designated under Directive 2009/147/EC. This activity is not per se prohibited under these Directives, which allow developments in Natura 2000 sites after having ascertained that they will not adversely affect the integrity of the sites concerned by making relevant plans and projects subject to an appropriate assessment of their implications for the sites in view of the sites’ conservation objectives. According to the Water Framework Directive, 2000/60/EC, any new project, which is likely to have a significant impact on the quality of one or more water bodies can only be authorised if it is of overriding public interest and fulfils the conditions detailed in Article 4(7). Directive 2008/56/EC does not prohibit the construction of wastewater treatment plants as long as these works do not impair the achievement of good environmental status in the region. In this case the hydrographical conditions should not be permanently altered or adversely affect marine ecosystems. Member State authorities are primarily responsible for the application of these provisions and the Commission has no evidence that they have been breached in the present case. Consequently, the Commission will take no action at this stage.