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Vigenin: Smart technologies can reduce water losses in Europe
At a discussion in the European Parliament, the MEP called for more investment in modernising water supply and for wider use of new technologies
“Water is a strategic resource. We talk a lot about Europe’s energy security, technological sovereignty and industrial competitiveness, but we must realise that there can be no real European resilience without water security,” said MEP Kristian Vigenin in Brussels.
The MEP hosted an event on “From success stories to wide-scale deployment: What next for smart water metering in Europe?”, organised by WE Data Europe with the participation of the European Commission.
A third of the water is lost before it reaches consumers
The event brought together representatives of the European institutions and experts, who discussed the opportunities for reducing water losses through new technologies. Vigenin pointed out that, according to the European Environment Agency, in 2023 almost a third of the EU population, or 32%, lived in areas affected by water scarcity for at least part of the year. At the same time, nearly a third of the water in public water supply is lost before it reaches consumers. “This is not only an environmental problem. It is also an economic failure that we can no longer afford,” the MEP said.
Technology must help households
Vigenin also highlighted the opportunities for tackling the problem: “Europe already has many of the technologies that can make a real difference.” According to him, smart metering of water consumption allows earlier detection of leaks, reduces unnecessary losses, improves efficiency and gives citizens better information about their consumption. However, it should not be reduced to simply installing new devices. Technology must help households monitor their consumption more easily, save water and cut unnecessary costs.
No region should be left behind
He added that it is necessary to ensure that no member state or region is left behind in the modernisation process. The situation differs from country to country. Some have well-developed digital water management systems, while others still have outdated infrastructure and need significant investment. According to the MEP, European funding, technical assistance and the exchange of good practices will be essential for modernising water supply infrastructure. Vigenin also pointed to Bulgaria, where individual metering of water consumption is already widespread, but where there is still significant room to improve efficiency through digitalisation and better use of consumption data. He stressed that the costs of modernisation must not be passed on disproportionately to citizens, especially those already facing financial difficulties.
“The real question is how to make existing solutions accessible, affordable and effective across the European Union,” Vigenin concluded.
