The vision paper outlines how urgent challenges can be transformed into chances for developing new European technologies, solutions, business models and governance models for a water-smart society of the future.

One core, three objectives, and five innovation concepts

As the core, the value of water is at the centre of Water Europe’s vision. This reflects the central importance of water as a human right and its diverse role in economic activities, social functions related to the health and well-being of citizens and as a source of economic value creation from the extraction and valorisation of raw materials and energy in water systems.
To realise the core value, three key objectives must be achieved: water resilience, water security, and water sustainability. And five innovation concepts, which are interconnected, shall be implemented to achieve the objectives:

1. Circular Water: circular water system that minimises water losses, captures and exploits the value in water, and fosters water security, sustainability and resilience.
2. Multiple Waters: incorporate a wide range of water sources and qualities (groundwater and surface water, rainwater, brackish water, brine, grey water, black water, recycled water) into a water-secure, resilient and sustainable water system.
3. Digital Water: exploit the benefits of the extreme interconnectivity of people, devices and processes, and create capillary networks capable of monitoring the water system, starting at its multiple sources through to the individual end-user, thus generating continuous flows of valuable data for innovative decision-support systems at different governance levels.
4. Inclusive Water: establish a water system whose governance balances the interests of all stakeholders in its design, management and maintenance.
5. Resilient Water: create a resilient and reliable hybrid grey and green water system, designed to withstand severe external and internal shocks – such as climate-change induced floods and droughts – without compromising essential functions.

Study reveals necessities, costs and benefits of measures

The vision paper is part of the fundamental study “Socio-economic study on the value of the EU investing in water”, and outlines the objectives of the study.

The starting point of the detailed analyses is an overview of water availability, data on water abstraction, use and pollution, policies, key economic indicators and the status of the public water supply and sewerage in Europe.

In the field of economics, four different sectors were chosen as “priority sectors” with respect to water: semiconductors, data management, renewable energy supply sources and storage (hydrogen and batteries), and agriculture and food processing. For these sectors, economic overview, water use patterns, significance of water to the sector, and water demand were elaborated.

A further section of the study outlines the investments needed to support the EU’s strategic water agenda in general, and for the priority sectors specifically.

Significant investments are needed

As one conclusion, the study states significant public and private investments that are required in the water sector to manage future growth in population and demand for various sectors. For water and sanitation alone, about €255 billion would be required in total by 2030, this means about €500 – €1000 per inhabitant. All numbers of investment and benefits are given in detail in the report.

About Water Europe

Water Europe (WE) is the recognized voice and promotor of water-related innovation, research, and technology development in Europe. WE is a purpose-driven multi-stakeholder association with over 275 members, representing the entire range of actors in the innovative water ecosystem. WE was established by the European Commission as a European Technology Platform.