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As reported by euractiv, Europe’s water infrastructure is ageing in all EU member states. The European Commission is at a pivotal moment and should decide to invest during the next MFF (2021-2027) to reap the health and environmental benefits, and to save money in the long term, writes Klara Ramm.

The complete press report can be found following the link below. Read an abstract here:
Klara Ramm is the chair of the EurEau Committee on Economics and Legal Affairs and an expert at IGWP, the Polish Waterworks Chamber of Commerce.

Europe’s water infrastructure includes the pipe network, pumps and treatment plants that are operated by both public and private water and wastewater utilities. Many wastewater utilities also manage stormwater, protecting against flooding.

Segments of the EU’s 7 million kilometres of pipes have been in operation for over 100 years. Investment in water infrastructure is not keeping pace with the challenges we are facing, the growing population, urbanisation or climate change. We will need to invest an estimated €135 billion on top of the €45 billion the sector already invests in order to modernise our infrastructure and protect health, the environment and, at least to some extent, reduce costs. We would need to double our sectors annual investment of €45 billion in order to modernise our infrastructure and protect health, the environment and, at least to some extent, reduce costs.

It is positive that the European Commission is assessing member states’ medium-term financing needs related to the supply of safe water and sanitation.

However, simply stepping up maintenance and replacement is not enough, as substantial new challenges loom. These include adapting to the effects of climate change, resource efficiency and emerging pollutants, which could change how we treat drinking water and wastewater.