From December 2027, active enforcement of the Water Framework Directive will begin. Companies that discharge wastewater into the sewer system must be able to demonstrate what they discharge and which substances remain in the wastewater after treatment. Existing permits and treatment systems may also be reassessed.
For companies with production processes that depend on water, this could have major consequences. In some cases, production could even be brought to a standstill if a permit is amended, tightened or, in the most extreme case, revoked.
Is your current wastewater treatment system still sufficient?
Many companies in food processing, textiles, petrochemicals and non-food manufacturing have already invested in their own wastewater treatment systems. However, a system that has performed well for many years may no longer be sufficient under changing conditions.
This may be due to changes in raw materials, different cleaning agents, higher production volumes, stricter discharge requirements or new insights into harmful substances. Substances that previously received little attention may also become increasingly relevant for permitting, supervision and enforcement. That is why now is the right time to reassess your wastewater treatment system.
From uncertainty to a practical improvement plan
Our experts assess the entire wastewater chain, from the production process to the final discharge point. We identify where risks may arise, which treatment steps are already performing well and where optimization may be required.
We consider technologies such as pretreatment, physico-chemical treatment, biological treatment, filtration, sludge treatment, polishing and monitoring. Not to make things more complicated, but to clearly determine what is needed to make your treatment system future-ready.
The result is a practical consultation with clear next steps. This could include improved monitoring, process adjustments, additional treatment stages or broader optimization of water and residual streams.
Why act now?
December 2027 may still seem a long way off, but analysis, permitting procedures, design, decision-making, engineering and implementation all take time. Companies that wait until enforcement becomes a concrete issue risk having too little time left to make improvements in a controlled and well-planned manner.
Starting early gives you greater control. You know where you stand, which risks should be prioritized and what investment is required to safeguard the continuity of your operations.