EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 37/14

(Case C-530/07)

(2008/C 37/18)

Language of the case: Portuguese

Parties

Applicant: Commission of the European Communities (represented by S. Pardo Quintillán and G. Braga da Cruz, acting as Agents)

Defendant: Portuguese Republic

Form of order sought

—Declare that, by failing

(a)to provide the agglomerations of Angra do Heroismo, Bacia do Rio Uima (Fiães de S. Jorge), Costa de Aveiro, Covilhã, Espinho/Feira, Fátima, Ponta delgada, Ponte de Lima, Póvoa de Varzim/Vila do Conde, Santa Cita, Vila Real de Santo António, Viana do Castelo-Cidade and Vila Real with collecting systems, as provided for by Article 3 of Council Directive 91/271/EEC (1) of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment, and

(b)to subject to secondary treatment or an equivalent treatment urban waste water from the agglomerations of Alta Nabão, Alverca, Bacia do Rio Uima (Fiães de S. Jorge), Carvoeiro, Costa da Caparica/Trafaria, Costa de Aveiro, Costa Oeste, Covilhã, Espinho/Feira, Fátima, Fundão/Alçaria, Lisbon, Matosinhos, Milfontes, Moledo/Âncora/Afife, Nazaré/Famalicâo, Pedrógão Grande, Ponta delgada, Ponte de Lima, Póvoa de Varzim/Vila do Conde, Santa Cita, Vila Nova de Gaia/Douro Nordeste, Vila Real de Santo António, Viana do Castelo-Cidade, Vila Franca de Xira and Vila Real, as provided for by Article 4 of that directive,

the Portuguese Republic has failed to fulfil its obligations under Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment;

—order the Portuguese Republic to pay the costs.

Pleas in law and main arguments

The Member States were to ensure, at the latest by 31 December 2000, that all agglomerations with a population equivalent (p.e.) of more than 15 000 and, at the latest by 31 December 2005, that all agglomerations with a p.e. of between 2 000 and 15 000 were provided with collecting systems for urban waste water.

Article 4 of the Directive provides as follows:

‘1. Member States shall ensure that urban waste water entering collecting systems shall before discharge be subject to secondary treatment or an equivalent treatment as follows:

—at the latest by 31 December 2000 for all discharges from agglomerations of more than 15 000 p.e.,

—at the latest by 31 December 2005 for all discharges from agglomerations of between 10 000 and 15 000 p.e.,

—at the latest by 31 December 2005 for discharges to fresh water and estuaries from agglomerations of between 2 000 and 10 000 p.e.

…’

* * *

(1) OJ L 135, p. 40.