About Water Europe
Water Europe (WE) is the recognized voice and promotor of water-related innovation, research, and technology development in Europe. WE is a purpose-driven multi-stakeholder association with over 250 members, representing the entire range of actors in the innovative water ecosystem. WE was established by the European Commission as a European Technology Platform. WE is guided in all its activities by its Water Vision, with the ultimate ambition of achieving a Water-Smart Society, in which:
- the value of water is recognised and realised to ensure water security, sustainability, and resilience.
- all available water sources are managed so that water scarcity and pollution are avoided.
- water and resource loops are largely closed to foster a circular economy and optimal resource efficiency.
- the water system is resilient against the impact of climate and demographic change.
- all relevant stakeholders are engaged in guaranteeing sustainable water governance.
WE has grouped its activities under 3 key programmes: - WE Collaboration Programme
Allows our members to network, share knowledge and experiences, and collaborate along the whole water
value chain, when addressing common challenges, developing and implementing new solutions, promoting
the inclusion of water-related topics in European research and innovation funding programmes, and enabling
them to shape successful project consortia. - WE Advocacy Programme
Raises the awareness of the value of water for our society and economy, and promotes the uptake of innovative
solutions through European policy-making and legislation. - WE Implementation Programme
Assists our members in the implementation of their research results and innovative solutions, as well as their further
uptake in markets in Europe and beyond. A key instrument in this implementation effort are Water-Oriented Living
Labs (WOLLs).
Our Model
Water Europe’s model for a Water-Smart Society is a harmonious blend of one core value, three key objectives, and five innovation concepts, all intricately interwoven. This model creates a synergistic ‘flying wheel’ effect, propelling us towards achieving a Water-Smart Society. It emphasizes the crucial interplay between our core value and the strategic objectives of water security, sustainability, and resilience, all underpinned by innovative concepts in circular water, resilient infrastructure, multiple water uses, inclusive governance, and digital water management. This comprehensive approach is our blueprint for a future where water is valued and sustainably managed.
- Water Security: safeguarding sustainable access to sufficient quantities of affordable and fit-for-purpose water, in order to preserve the health of the population and ecosystems, foster the socio-= economic development of society, and ensure their protection against water-related disasters, such as those resulting from climate change.
- Water Sustainability: ensuring water infrastructure, management and use that are economically and environmentally sustainable, in a way that meets current ecological, social and economic needs, without compromising the ability to meet these needs in the future.
- Water Resilience: achieving long-term resilience, so that natural and anthropogenic water systems can withstand unexpected disruptive events, averting serious consequences, such as droughts and floods, while guaranteeing the reliability of the water system.
- Circular Water: circular water system that minimises water losses, captures and exploits the value in water, and fosters water security, sustainability and resilience.
- Multiple Waters: incorporate a wide range of water sources and qualities (groundwater and surface water, rainwater, brackish water, brine, grey water, black water, recycled water) into a water-secure, resilient and sustainable water system.
- Digital Water: exploit the benefits of the extreme interconnectivity of people, devices and processes, and create capillary networks capable of monitoring the water system, starting at its multiple sources through to the individual end-user, thus generating continuous flows of valuable data for innovative decision-support systems at different governance levels.
- Inclusive Water: establish a water system whose governance balances the interests of all stakeholders in its design, management and maintenance.
- Resilient Water: create a resilient and reliable hybrid grey and green water system, designed to withstand severe external and internal shocks – such as climate-change induced floods and droughts – without compromising essential functions.
Waterkennis 