Erick Burgueño Salas
Research expert covering climate change and the water industry
Water industry in Europe - statistics & facts
Almost 300 billion cubic meters of freshwater are withdrawn in Europe every year. From Roman aqueducts to developing sewage treatment techniques, European countries have been in the front row for decades in providing their citizens with quality drinking water and treating their wastewater outflow before reaching nature. Nevertheless, water consumption and access to drinking water and wastewater treatment services vary across the continent.
Meanwhile, when it comes to wastewater, even though most European countries have a share of their population connected to a wastewater treatment plant also above 80 percent, this figure dwindles sharply when moving to the eastern side of the continent. In Albania, less than 30 percent of the population was connected to wastewater treatment plants in 2021, while in Serbia, this figure stood at 16 percent. The reduced investment in existing wastewater treatment plants in big cities and the complete lack of such facilities in rural areas are still a growing concern in the Eastern region.
What is charged on the water bill varies depending on the city of residence. Still, in general, the services of drinking water supply and wastewater treatment are charged together. In Europe, water management companies can be private or public, depending on what the law of each country stipulates regarding water provision. France, for example, has a high degree of private sector participation via concession and lease contracts. Two of the most important water companies on the continent, Veolia and Suez, are based in France.
From the tap to the toilette
Europe has a developed drinking water supply network. The percentage of the population connected to the public water supply rates above the 90 percent threshold in most countries. In 2021, Italy had the highest residential drinking water daily consumption, with 223 liters per capita, followed by Norway and Sweden, each with more than 170 liters per person.Meanwhile, when it comes to wastewater, even though most European countries have a share of their population connected to a wastewater treatment plant also above 80 percent, this figure dwindles sharply when moving to the eastern side of the continent. In Albania, less than 30 percent of the population was connected to wastewater treatment plants in 2021, while in Serbia, this figure stood at 16 percent. The reduced investment in existing wastewater treatment plants in big cities and the complete lack of such facilities in rural areas are still a growing concern in the Eastern region.
The price of water
Access to safe drinking water and sanitation are considered human rights. Nonetheless, citizens usually must pay a fee for these services, and the difference in European water prices is quite broad. For example, Norway is the European country with the highest annual average water bill per household, at an average of 970 euros per year. Its Scandinavian sibling, Denmark, ranked second during the same period. In contrast, Bulgarians had the lowest average water bill, at 120 euros.What is charged on the water bill varies depending on the city of residence. Still, in general, the services of drinking water supply and wastewater treatment are charged together. In Europe, water management companies can be private or public, depending on what the law of each country stipulates regarding water provision. France, for example, has a high degree of private sector participation via concession and lease contracts. Two of the most important water companies on the continent, Veolia and Suez, are based in France.
