EU to order members to reduce water consumption – FT

Brussels is aiming to cut down water use by at least 10 percent by 2030, according to a draft plan

The European Commission is reportedly planning to call on EU member states to cut water use by at least 10 percent by 2030, according to a draft plan seen by the Financial Times. The legislation would mark the Commission’s first water-usage reduction directive in the history of the EU.

The proposal comes amid rising concerns about droughts and groundwater depletion following increasingly frequent wildfires and catastrophic flooding which have cost the EU billions and has reduced water reserves to previously unseen levels.

“We need to think about how we need to use water more efficiently,” EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall told the outlet, stressing that “when we have a shower, we need to think about it.” 

A ban on refilling swimming pools is already in place across southern Europe. Haris Sachinis, CEO of Greek water company Eydap, has warned that Athens could completely run out of water within two years if dry conditions persist. 

Cypriot Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou has warned that 2025 could be the island’s third consecutive drought year and among the eight worst for water reserves in half a century.

Sweden has also imposed bans on watering gardens with a hose in some areas while In France and Spain, disputes over dams and water rights have fueled tensions between farmers and environmentalists.

Last year, the EU’s environmental policies, including limits on pesticide use and water usage reductions, led to widespread protests from farmers and agricultural groups across the bloc, including in France, Spain, Germany, and Poland.

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The EC’s draft plan calls for greater investment in the bloc’s leaking infrastructure. The EurEau industry group has estimated that some 25% of EU water is lost through pipe leaks, with some countries such as Bulgaria losing up to 60%.

The Commission has estimated that €23 billion ($26 billion) is needed annually for upgrades. The European Investment Bank also plans to offer €15 billion ($17 billion) in loans and guarantees between 2025 and 2027 to support the effort. Additionally, researchers found that only 2.4% of water is currently reused in the EU, a figure Brussels wants to raise.

Although the savings target is not binding, the Commission is encouraging national targets and better data collection. A recent climate assessment found that only a “limited number” of countries have adopted water resilience measures.

The proposal follows a 2023 warning about rising competition for water and potential cross-border conflicts. The European Central Bank has separately warned that water scarcity poses a financial threat, with surface water shortages potentially affecting nearly 15% of eurozone GDP.