The EU is facing major challenges with increasing water scarcity. That said, there is also some good news: water consumption by households has been decreasing over the last years. This is what green transition and innovation expert Dr. Maria Kottari has found. She authored a new study commissioned by the European Parliament’s Panel on the Future of Science and Technology (STOA), entitled “The future of water availability and use in the EU: A foresight study and policy options to address water scarcity”.
Dr Kottari is principal consultant at Technopolis Group (the Netherlands).
Your study says that Europe is facing a water crisis. What does that mean and what is the current situation in Europe?
Long-standing water management practices, such as damming, drainage, and river channelisation, have significantly disrupted freshwater ecosystems, reducing their resilience to droughts, heatwaves, and floods. These practices, along with soil artificialisation and wetland drainage, have led to declining water levels and negatively impacted agricultural productivity and soil health.
In our research, we observe significant regional disparities in water stress across Europe: Southern European countries, such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, face some of the highest levels of water stress. This is largely due to their dry climate and intensive agricultural water consumption.
In contrast, Northern, Central, and Eastern European nations experience water stress related more to industrial activities and energy production. These challenges are exacerbated by the over-extraction of water in many river basins, where water is being withdrawn faster than it can naturally replenish.
Water scarcity is becoming a persistent issue, affecting many regions year-round. In some areas, up to 70% of the population faces seasonal water stress, while even countries in Northern Europe, like Belgium and the Netherlands, report shortages during drought periods.
The over-extraction of water has led to declining groundwater levels and reduced river flows, and despite efforts to limit water use, the quantitative status of water bodies remains largely unchanged. This underlines the need for long-term, sustainable water management solutions across the continent.
The consequences of water stress go beyond just scarcity. As water availability decreases, we see an increase in pollution concentrations in river basins, which can disrupt both physical and biological processes crucial for the health of aquatic ecosystems. This, in turn, affects aquifers (underground layers of water-bearing material) and water quality.
While the connection between water stress and pollution is a critical challenge, it’s not the main focus of this study, which is primarily concerned with water scarcity itself.
What are the major trends impacting water availability and use in Europe in the near to mid-term future?
Maria Kottari: A combination of environmental and climatic factors, as well as social, demographic, and economic developments are impacting water availability and use in Europe in the near to mid-term future.
Additionally, technological advancements and political, ethical, and legal trends play important roles. We view these trends as external factors that shape the context and conditions determining water availability and use in the short term.
Climate change is already impacting water availability, with effects like more frequent and intense droughts. These changes will exacerbate existing water scarcity issues in some regions, particularly in southern Europe, where rising temperatures and decreased precipitation are increasing water stress.
Population growth in the EU, driven mainly by migration, could increase water demand, especially in areas experiencing urbanisation and higher consumption. This growing population will also necessitate better water management, with policies that prioritise sectors during periods of water stress.
Additionally, the aging population may increase the risk of pharmaceuticals entering water systems and heighten sensitivity to heatwaves and droughts. These demographic shifts could pose challenges to water availability and distribution.
Economic growth in the EU is expected to be modest, but as the economy expands, water consumption will likely increase, though at a slower pace. The circular economy is becoming key to decoupling economic growth from resource use, including water.
Technological innovations, such as digitalisation and artificial intelligence, offer potential solutions to reduce water use, though they also come with a paradox. For instance, while digitalisation can improve water management, data centers consume large amounts of water for cooling and energy production, contributing to increased water consumption.
The agricultural sector remains a major water consumer in the EU, particularly in southern regions where climate change is worsening water scarcity. As the EU shifts toward renewable energy, the water usage of the energy sector is expected to decrease, although hydropower plants may still place pressure on local water resources.
Resistance to climate policies could hinder efforts to manage water scarcity, but as the effects of climate change become more evident, public support for green policies may grow, highlighting the need for collaborative solutions to address water-related challenges across Europe.
As you mentioned, current levels of water scarcity vary greatly across different European countries, and the future differing impacts of climate change will likely exacerbate this. What is the role of EU-level policy in such a context?
Maria Kottari: At EU level, policy frameworks can play a key role in addressing water scarcity through the sharing of best practices and resources among member states.
Policies can also facilitate cross-border cooperation in managing shared water resources, ensuring that regional disparities do not lead to inefficiencies or conflicts. Furthermore, EU policy can incentivise investments in sustainable water management, particularly through funding mechanisms such as the European Green Deal and cohesion funds. One short-term policy option involves directing additional funding through the European Investment Bank (EIB) to improve water infrastructure and develop nature-based solutions (NBS), including wetland restoration, reforestation, and agroforestry. Such investments can help build resilience to droughts and enhance water recycling systems.
In the longer term, the study suggests that EU regional and agricultural funding could be used to bolster regional economies while simultaneously addressing water scarcity. By setting water scarcity reduction as a priority within the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), member states could use EU contributions to foster regional cooperation, solidarity, and innovation.
Investing in the development of water-efficient technologies, like precision irrigation and smart water management systems, and supporting start-ups and SMEs through initiatives like the European Innovation Council could significantly reduce water stress across the EU. With targeted financial cooperation and regional solutions, the EU can work towards mitigating water scarcity challenges in the future.
How else can EU water policy be improved, according to the study?
Maria Kottari: Water scarcity presents a significant challenge within the fragmented landscape of European water policy. While EU legislation on water is relatively advanced, many goals remain unmet due to issues such as insufficient funding, delayed implementation, and a lack of integration of water concerns across sectoral policies. The current approach is insufficient to address the growing and pressing issues of water availability.
The EU’s primary water legislation, the Water Framework Directive (WFD), has made strides in water quality management since 2000. However, policies addressing water quantity remain underdeveloped. Past efforts, like the 2007 Communication on Water Scarcity and Drought and the 2012 Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources, have experienced slow progress, suggesting the need for a more cohesive and comprehensive EU strategy on water scarcity.
The study suggests that an integrated water strategy is crucial for effective management of water scarcity. It should be a top priority at EU level and address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change. This strategy must cover water quantity, quality, governance, and cross-border management, with priorities reflected across all EU policies, including the Green Deal, agriculture, industry, and climate policies.
To better manage water resources, an intersectoral framework is needed that balances the water needs of key sectors like agriculture, energy, and tourism with the protection of ecosystems. Moving from reactive crisis management to proactive risk management is essential. This includes early identification of water risks, the development of risk-based indicators, and clear targets to ensure timely interventions and build long-term resilience.
Are there any innovations that may help improve the situation? Is there a technical solution to water scarcity?
Maria Kottari: There is no single technical solution to water scarcity. To address the issue, a combination of technological innovations across various sectors is needed.
In the short term (by 2030), several advancements show promise for tackling agricultural water challenges. Smart irrigation systems optimise water use through real-time data, while drought-resistant crops can reduce water needs for agriculture.
Additionally, smart metering and leak detection systems improve water efficiency, and greywater (domestic wastewater that does not include toilet water) reuse can reduce pressure on freshwater resources. However, adoption has been slow, mainly due to high costs, which make these technologies inaccessible for smaller or financially vulnerable farms.
As part of a short-term policy proposal, the installation of smart meters in water-intensive sectors, aquifers, and private wells is recommended. Smart meters provide real-time data on water levels, usage patterns, and withdrawal rates, which can help optimise water management. In water-intensive industries, this data identifies inefficiencies, reduces costs, and ensures compliance with regulations, especially during droughts. For aquifers and private wells, smart meters can prevent over-extraction and protect groundwater resources, offering a comprehensive view of water flows that can assist authorities in managing shared resources effectively.
In the longer term (towards 2050), technological solutions show potential but face significant challenges. Some, such as genomic techniques and advanced water recycling systems, are closer to practical implementation.
Genomic approaches like CRISPR can create drought-resistant crops, while water recycling with reverse osmosis offers a way to reuse water. However, these technologies raise ethical, safety, and energy concerns. Advanced water storage solutions, such as aquifer recharge, could help retain water, but may negatively impact local ecosystems.
Other technologies, like fog harvesting and desalination, show promise in specific conditions but come with environmental concerns and high costs. Desalination, while effective, requires a large amount of energy, though renewable energy solutions offer new potential.
Iceberg harvesting remains a theoretical idea, not yet feasible due to its high cost and environmental impact. Overall, while these long-term technologies offer hope, their viability and potential consequences require careful consideration
Can you suggest something that people can do themselves to help?
Maria Kottari: The involvement of citizens in addressing water scarcity is crucial, even though it may not be the primary focus of this study. Households play a significant role in water consumption throughout Europe. The public water supply provides for daily activities such as drinking, washing, cooking, sanitation, and gardening. Households account for approximately 60-80% of public water consumption, with additional contributions from sectors like tourism, agriculture, and industry.
The study’s findings indicate that, despite households being the main users of water, there has been a noticeable decrease in average household water consumption across Europe in recent years. This decline can be attributed to several factors, including the adoption of water-efficient technologies, increased public awareness about water scarcity, and targeted policies aimed at reducing consumption. For instance, in countries like Spain, awareness campaigns have effectively encouraged water-saving behaviors among residents.
Citizens can play a key role in further reducing water consumption by making small, mindful changes in their daily routines. Simple actions, such as fixing leaky faucets, using water-efficient appliances, and taking shorter showers, can collectively lead to significant savings.
People can also adopt habits like watering plants during cooler parts of the day to minimise evaporation or collecting rainwater for gardening. While these individual efforts may seem modest, they contribute significantly to the broader goal of water conservation.
Additionally, citizens can advocate for more sustainable water management practices within their communities. This includes supporting policies that promote water conservation, engaging with local governments to protect natural water resources, and raising awareness about the importance of saving water.
By working together to adopt efficient irrigation systems, recycle wastewater, and restore wetlands, citizens can actively contribute to long-term solutions for Europe’s growing water scarcity challenges.