Aqua Publica Europea

💧 Aqua Publica Europea had the pleasure of co-organising an event at the European Parliament on 9 April on “Financing Water Resilience – Reconciling Environmental Sustainability, Equity, and Efficiency in the Water Sector for the Future of Europe”, in collaboration with MEP Stine Bosse. We are extremely grateful for MEP Bosse’s support and engagement in this important conversation. We also sincerely thank MEP Thomas Bajada, Rapporteur for the Own-Initiative Report on the Water Resilience Initiative, for joining us and offering valuable reflections following the report’s adoption by the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament. Key highlights: 🔹Claudia Olazábal, European Commission: Confirmed that investment will be a central pillar of the Water Resilience Strategy. Pointed to the underuse of existing EU funds and called for better uptake. Strengthening water resilience involves diverse interventions –each with its own cost structure and economic rationale– requiring targeted financial tools and incentives. 🔹Bernard Van Nuffel, Aqua Publica Europea: Highlighted rising investment needs due to climate change, regulation, and industrial demand. Proposed smarter tariffs (e.g. higher fixed fees for intermittent users), stronger polluter- and beneficiary-pays principles, and dedicated taxes for drought/flood management. Stressed the importance of long-term financing from public banks and EU support for water-scarce, low-revenue regions. 🔹Bonaldi da Costa, Grundfos: Called for aligning investments with a supportive EU framework, recognising water’s true value, promoting reuse and decentralised solutions, and incentivising efficient use through appropriate tariffs. 🔹Vera Eiró, WAREG: Underlined the critical role of economic regulation in ensuring financial sustainability, investor confidence, and consumer protection. Stressed the central role of data in ensuring effective governance. 🔹James Hunt, EIB: Noted the strength of existing EU water legislation and the need for better alignment with other sectoral policies to ensure efficient water use. Stressed that restoring the water cycle should be a policy priority, with empowered river basin authorities and water operators. Emphasised the EIB's role in addressing market failures, making its role in the water sector vital. 🔹Xavier Leflaive, OECD: Stressed that private finance can support water investments if taxes, tariffs, and transfers ensure payback. Called for a shift in how water projects are assessed, focusing on optimising resources. Urged clearer rules on water bill financing, stronger polluter-pays application, and prioritising social justice in water financing strategies. ✍ These contributions will feed into an upcoming paper by Aqua Publica Europea on a new financing model for the water sector. We look forward to continuing the conversation on a resilient, fair, and sustainable water future for Europe! A full event report will follow soon. Photo credit: Alexandros Moridis

💧Aqua Publica Europea, together with 16 organisations representing civil society, healthcare professionals, social partners, recreational fishing associations, businesses and local authorities is calling on the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union to accelerate the adoption of proposed new EU water pollution standards and to share their concerns about proposals to weaken and delay implementation of the #WaterFrameworkDirective (WFD). More than two years after its publication, the European Parliament and the Council still haven’t reached an agreement on the European Commission’s proposal to update the lists of priority pollutants for surface and groundwater 👉 https://bit.ly/4jlLnTB. As a result, critical pollutants such as #PFAS, #pesticides and #pharmaceuticals remain unregulated in EU waters contributing to widespread contamination of Europe’s waters. 🔹Urgent clarity needed: Member States need to know which rules to apply in the 2028-2033 River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) as this work should start in 2025. 🔹Threats to the WFD: Recent attempts in the Council to introduce new exemptions in the WFD—including allowances for temporary deterioration and for deterioration resulting from the relocation of water or sediment—are deeply concerning. 💦🌍Healthy waters are not only a vital natural resource for human well-being and the environment but also a key driver of Europe’s resilience and global competitiveness. Only by upholding the integrity of the WFD, maintaining a strong, predictable regulatory framework, and ensuring its effective implementation can we safeguard Europe’s water resources while fostering innovation, investment, and economic prosperity. 📄 Read our full joint letter here: https://bit.ly/4iYEzeT

We are grateful to Commissioner Jessika Roswall for the invitation to contribute to the high-level roundtable on Water and the Competitiveness of European Industry. Drawing on our publication 📘𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 - https://bit.ly/3RdKFvz, we reaffirmed that Aqua Publica’s members are aware of their responsibility to strengthen the sustainable management of water resources, and we are taking action: 💧Through a strong commitment to efficiency, while also actively promoting water savings and alternative water resources. 💧By taking on new responsibilities that are key to repairing the broken cycle, such as river restoration, catchment protection, and sponge cities. 💧By preparing for the future with long-term quantitative plans that, based on expected climate change and socio-economic evolution, guide investments and interventions to reduce the impact of droughts and floods. We also called for an appropriate policy framework at national and European levels to enable public water operators to fulfil their mission. This means: ✔️Reducing institutional fragmentation, particularly in relation to quantitative management. ✔️Developing a new financing model, especially to support investments aimed at addressing drought and flood risks, which too often lack a clear "owner". ✔️Maintaining ambition for the “zero pollution strategy”, as polluted water is water that cannot be used. ✔️Providing guidance for the management of shared, transboundary water bodies as a means of reducing the risk of political tensions between territories. ✔️Continuing economic support, particularly for regions that are vulnerable both economically and environmentally, to maintain the cohesion of our continent. We look forward to contributing actively to realising the future #WaterResilienceStrategy! Photo source: EC - Audiovisual Service© European Union, 2025, CC BY 4.0

On 24 and 25 March, Aqua Publica Europea was at the Joint Research Centre (EU Science, Research and Innovation) in Ispra, Italy to attend the first meeting of the new Working Group on Water Scarcity and Drought of the European Commission. We had very inspiring presentations and insightful exchanges with institutions and stakeholders from different sectors and parts of Europe. There is an urgent need to step up efforts to prepare for the impact of climate change and socio-economic evolutions, but many effective approaches and good practices already exist from which we can take inspiration. Aqua Publica is pleased to team up with EurEau to co-chair the sub-group on efficiency in the water supply sector and looks forward to starting the work soon!

📢 Last Call for Registration!   We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming public seminar, “𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 – 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞.”   📅 Wednesday, 9 April 2025 📍 European Parliament, Brussels 🕤 09:30 – 11:30   Hosted by MEP Stine Bosse, this in-person event will aim to explore the key elements of a new water economic model for Europe, by developing a dialogue with experts from leading international institutions, the financial sector, industry, civil society, public authorities, as well as European policymakers.   🔹 See the full programme below, featuring expert speakers: ✔️ Claudia Olazabal – Head of Unit for Sustainable Freshwater Management, European Commission ✔️ Bernard Van Nuffel – President, Aqua Publica Europea ✔️ James Hunt – Senior Water Engineer, European Investment Bank (EIB) ✔️ Bonaldi da Costa – Head of EU Affairs, Grundfos ✔️ Xavier Leflaive – Senior Advisor, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ✔️ Vera Eiró – President, European Association of Water Regulators (WAREG)   Registration for attendees without a badge closes TOMORROW (1 April) EOB.   🔗 Don’t miss out – check the full programme and secure your spot now! https://bit.ly/4bCwQ3j

💧𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐔 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐞   On Friday, 21 March, in Rome, during the event organised by The European House-Ambrosetti and Utilitalia, CEO of MM Spa and Aqua Publica Europea Vice-President FRANCESCO MASCOLO expressed to Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience, and a Circular and Competitive Economy, the commitment of Aqua Publica Europea members to safeguarding water resources and enhancing water resilience and called for adequate financial support to deliver tangible results.   As climate challenges intensify, public water operators are actively implementing a comprehensive strategy to manage the impacts of droughts and floods. 📘Explore concrete examples of how public water operators are addressing water scarcity and drought in our latest publication 👉 http://bit.ly/3RdKFvz

💧 Uniacque - Servizio idrico integrato hosts WaterWeek2025 ‘Passione Ambiente’ in Bergamo Our member Uniacque (Bergamo, Italy) is organising WaterWeek2025 ‘Passione Ambiente’ from April 10 to 13, 2025 in Spazio Eventi Daste, Bergamo. This event will be a key platform for dialogue on the sustainable management of water resources and tackling urgent issues such as climate change adaptation, environmental protection, and the integration of hydraulic infrastructure in sensitive urban areas. 👉 We are happy to support this important event, which will bring together water professionals, technical experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the sector. A special focus will also be placed on future generations, with a dedicated day for students and teachers from secondary schools to raise awareness and inspire active engagement in water-related challenges. 💡 Learn more and view the full event programme: https://lnkd.in/d_cmnd7k

💧 𝑬𝒂𝒖 𝒅𝒖 𝑷𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝑬𝑰𝑩 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 Our member Eau du Ponant SPL (Brest, France) has secured financial support from the European Investment Bank (EIB)—the first time a ‘Société publique locale’ (a specific legal category of publicly-owned company in France) has received EIB funding. This investment will strengthen public water and sanitation infrastructure in Brest Métropole and Pays de Landerneau-Daoulas. Under this agreement, Eau du Ponant will mobilise €210 million, with €80 million in financing from the EIB over five years, to: 🔹 Upgrade drinking water production and distribution facilities 🔹 Improve wastewater collection and treatment systems 🔹 Ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory standards Congratulations to Eau du Ponant on this achievement! 👏 🔗 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/esbKzC5g

📢 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫: “𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞” Hosted by MEP Stine Bosse, this seminar will discuss the economic implications of strengthening our water resilience. Experts from international institutions, the financial sector, and other relevant stakeholders will explore together with European policymakers the mechanisms that can bridge the investment gap while ensuring equity and efficiency.   📍 In person only | European Parliament, Brussels 🗓️ Wednesday, 9 April 2025 | 09:30 – 11:30 🗣️ Language: English only   The number of seats is limited—register early to secure your spot!   ➡️ View the full programme below & register here: https://bit.ly/4bCwQ3j   #WaterResilience #FinancingWater #PublicSeminar

Yesterday, Aqua Publica Europea participated in the high-level stakeholder roundtable: Towards a Water Resilience Strategy for the European Union. We are happy to see that the seven recommendations we submitted in response to the public consultation on the Water Resilience Strategy and the Water Efficiency First Principle are in line with the European Commission’s proposals. These include: ✅ Long-term planning based on comprehensive data on water resources and abstraction. ✅ Better integration of land and water planning. ✅ Stronger transboundary cooperation for water management. ✅ Careful assessment of both benefits and risks of technology. 💡 A standout moment? The opening session featured a video from the EU-funded MERLIN project, which is driving the mainstreaming of Nature-based Solutions for ecosystem restoration and systemic change. As representatives of the water supply and sanitation sector in MERLIN, we are proud to see our work in the spotlight!   🍃 We believe that Nature-based Solutions are one of the key elements to building a #waterresilient future, and we remain committed to advancing their implementation in the water sector.