Sweco: Europe's Water Networks Face Renewal Cycles Up to 1,000 Years
Bremen – October 30, 2026 -- At current reinvestment rates, fully renewing Europe's drinking water networks would take between roughly 90 years in Belgium and 1,000 years in Finland, according to a new study by engineering consultancy Sweco.
The study, titled "Old Pipes, New Pressure" (German: "Alte Rohre, neuer Druck"), uses EurEau investment data from 2026 and reported network lengths. It finds that spending levels alone do not show whether networks are being renewed at a sustainable pace.
EU water sector faces a EUR 23 billion annual investment gap
The European Commission puts the yearly investment gap in the EU water sector at EUR 23 billion. European utilities already spend about EUR 52.5 billion a year on drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Rising demand, deteriorating water resources and inflation are keeping investment growth from keeping pace.