Commissioner outlines global water quality targets

European development commissioner Andris Piebalgs has outlined the progress that has been made in the EU's attempts to boost drinking water quality across the world.

He said that 1.2 billion people still have to battle to receive safe and clean liquid to hydrate themselves and the EU is working hard to remedy this.

Mr Piebalgs suggested the continent is committed to meeting the Millennium Development Goal that was set up with the intention of halving the number of people that have no regular access to water and sanitation by 2015.

Since 2004, investment and support from the European Commission has helped 32 million people benefit from better water and wastewater provisions.

"It's something most of us take for granted here in Europe but it is time to turn the tide and make sure it now becomes a basic human right for everyone," he added.

The commissioner gave the progress report as World Water Week started in Stockholm, which will see industry leaders meet to discuss the latest technology and methods that can be used to improve water quality around the world.

Posted by Lauren Steadman