Cost recovery

According to this principle, the water users bear as much as possible the costs incurred by their water uses: investment, operating and depreciation costs, environmental costs, and even, if possible, the cost of the resource. This principle is called "cost recovery". On this principle, the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC sets two targets for Member States: by late 2004, the assessment should include the current level of recovery, distinguishing at least three economic sectors (industry, agriculture and households); by 2010, the taking into account of this principle, particularly through water pricing. The Directive requires transparency in the financing of water policy, but it does not set an obligation to full cost recovery on uses.