This report examines current and future water-related financing challenges faced by EU member states. These include investments needed to comply with EU regulation for water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, and flood protection.
This analysis can support discussions on the options countries may wish to consider to close the financing gap. It can also help position and calibrate the support the institutions such as the European Commission in providing its member states to ensure compliance with the three directives with the least amount of cost for the community.
As part of their research, new data was produced on current levels of expenditure for water supply, sanitation and flood protection, as well as on projected needs. It supported a comparison across member states and substantiated tailored policy discussions in selected countries and at European level. This report captures the rationale for the research, the main quantitative outcomes and the policy issues and recommendations that derived from this two-year co-operation. Lessons from Europe outlined in this report can inspire similar research and policy discussions in other parts of the world.