The European Union invests €15 billion to reduce water pollution and waste
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In recent years, water has become one of the most critical resources in Europe. Between extreme weather events, prolonged droughts, aging infrastructure, and steadily increasing demand, water management is now one of the most urgent environmental and social challenges. The data is clear: in some Member States, more than 40% of potable water is lost before it reaches users[1], while climate change is undermining the reliability of seasonal rainfall and natural reserves.
Meanwhile, urban expansion, intensive agriculture, and pollution from microplastics, fertilizers, and chemicals are placing further pressure on aquatic ecosystems. Politically, Brussels has begun to treat water as a strategic resource—on par with energy—by proposing structural measures to improve efficiency, increase reuse, and guarantee equitable access for all citizens.
Although no longer part of the European Union, the United Kingdom faces the same issues: depleting groundwater, reservoirs at critical lows, and an industrial system mired in environmental scandals. Within this context, the latest investment and regulatory initiatives from both the EU and the British government take on particular relevance.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced a €15 billion investment over the next three years to fund projects aimed at reducing water pollution, preventing waste, and supporting innovative businesses in the water sector.
This initiative—representing the EU’s financial arm—is part of the bloc’s broader strategy to address mounting water shortages and droughts made worse by climate change. Water is now under growing pressure from intensive farming, pollution, and unchecked urban sprawl.
The UK also steps up water protection measures
The UK, for its part, has also announced reinforced policies to protect its water resources ahead of the summer. The country has just experienced its hottest and driest spring in over 130 years.
According to the Environment Agency (EA), England’s reservoirs are currently only 77% full, compared to a seasonal average of 93%. Although early June rainfall has had a positive impact, it was not enough to prevent a drought from being declared in the northwest of the country.
“It’s been the driest spring since 1893, and we need to prepare for more summer droughts as our climate continues to change,” said Helen Wakeham, the EA’s Director of Water Resources. She added that while recent rainfall has provided some relief, it hasn’t made up for historically low levels.
No bonuses for executives at water companies
Additionally, the UK government has banned Thames Water and five other water companies from paying executive bonuses, citing their failure to tackle pollution. The move is part of a broader plan to overhaul an industry whose environmental record is in crisis.
Officials have stated that the water industry in England and Wales is “broken,” with Thames Water at the center of a major scandal. Years of underinvestment have led to sewage spills, even as the company continued to post profits and reward its executives.
A turning point for water resilience
The water crisis can no longer be postponed. With the combined effects of climate change, urbanization, systemic waste, and rising pollution, Europe and the UK stand at a crossroads: continue down the path of unsustainable water management or commit to a genuine transition.
The investments announced by the European Investment Bank and the new national policies are encouraging signs. Investing in modern infrastructure, technological innovation, and transparent governance is not just a response to a crisis—it is an investment in our shared future.
At the same time, cases of mismanagement—such as that of Thames Water—show that sustainability is impossible without strong regulation, corporate accountability, and the recognition of citizens’ rights to clean, safe, and accessible water.
Ultimately, building true water resilience will require political vision, collective commitment, and, above all, a cultural shift: to treat water not as an infinite commodity, but as a common good to be protected every day.
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