The story of Water Europe, initially known as the Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform, begins in 2004, when it was established by the European Commission to confront water-related challenges across the continent.
The initiative took a leap forward in 2007, when it evolved into a member-driven, multi-stakeholder platform. This marked a pivotal shift, widening its impact and reinforcing its foundational mission of securing a sustainable water future.
A new vulnerability
Continuing its evolution, the organisation changed its name to Water Europe in 2019, marking a new period in which the name of the organisation captured the essence of its mission as the recognised voice and promoter of water-related innovation, research, and technology development in Europe.
As one of the very first members, SINTEF plays an important role in the organization's work.
Chief Scientist Rita Ugarelli is a board member and vice president of the Executive committee, helping to implement Water Europe's strategies in turbulent times.
“As Europe moves forward with the European Water Resilience Strategy, our focus must be on building robust, adaptive systems that can secure water resources for people, the economy, and the environment – now and for future generations,” says Ugarelli.
“This means not only addressing traditional threats like pollution and scarcity, but also investing in digital innovation, infrastructure modernisation and nature-based solutions.”
Because water resilience is about more than security.
“It’s about ensuring that our water systems are efficient, sustainable, and prepared for the challenges of climate change, extreme events and emerging risks. The strategy’s holistic approach – integrating efficiency, quality, crisis preparedness, and circularity – will be crucial for safeguarding Europe’s competitiveness and ecological future,“ she says.
Driving innovation
Several SINTEF researchers are members of Water Europe expert groups. These groups aim to promote a water-smart society by bringing together professionals, researchers, and stakeholders with diverse expertise in the water sector.
They act as catalysts for the development of water-related scientific and technical advancements, driving innovation through R&I initiatives and projects.
Enhancing resilience to climate change
Senior Research Scientist Laura Wendling is leading the expert group on Green Grey Infrastructure & Nature-based Solutions. Such infrastructures and solutions play a vital role in addressing urbanization challenges, enhancing resilience to climate change, and promoting sustainable development.
The expert group aims to explore synergies between different grey-green infrastructures and nature-based solutions, promote their adoption, and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders in the fields of urban planning, water management, and environmental conservation.
Nature-based solutions and hybrid blue-green-grey infrastructure are recognised within key European policy as playing a key role in climate and environment challenges.
The expert group will exploit members’ expertise to synthesise existing knowledge in support of mainstreaming of these solutions to achieve high-level policy objectives.
“The group’s work to address knowledge gaps related to nature-based solutions and hybrid blue-green-grey infrastructure for water and climate resilience is particularly relevant with respect to the forthcoming European Water Resilience Strategy,” Wendling notes.
Addressing the challenges facing aquatic biodiversity
Biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems is essential for maintaining ecological balance, supporting ecosystem services, and ensuring the sustainability of water resources.
Recognising the critical relationship between water and biodiversity, Water Europe has established the Water and Biodiversity expert group.
Wendling is also a member of this group, which addresses the challenges facing aquatic biodiversity, promote sustainable water management practices that conserve biodiversity, and facilitate collaboration between water and biodiversity stakeholders.
The group seeks to better understand climate-environment-biodiversity links and feedback loops, and to support the water sector in ensuring the long-term sustainability of water systems and the achievement of biodiversity and ecosystem restoration targets.
“Biodiversity is central to ecosystem function and adaptive capacity, and is therefore intrinsically linked to many aspects of water systems and services, and more broadly to water resource management and water security,” Wendling says.
Encouraging circularity
Senior Research Scientist Herman Helness is a member of the expert group on Water Efficiency, Reuse and Circularity. This group aims to share knowledge and develop initiatives that promote the efficient use of water, encourage water reuse, and foster circular economy solutions in the water sector.
“A resilient society with regards to water, requires a sustainable water management where consumption is reduced,” Helness states.
“Increased water efficiency and reuse in municipal and industrial applications, and the implementation of circular economy solutions are key to achieving this. It will also contribute to competitiveness in the industrial sector, where the importance of water as an economic factor is increasing,” he says.
Need for new governance perspectives
Senior Research Scientist Sigrid Damman is a member of Water Europe’s Policy Advisory Committee, which supports Water Europe's advocacy efforts by providing expertise and guidance to shape policy priorities and strategies towards a water-smart society.
Dealing with the multitude of actor interests and concerns of different regulatory bodies, underscores the need for evidence-based and pragmatic policy solutions. At the same time, the current water challenges require new perspectives.
Damman highlights two key points:
“First, there is the need to ensure a better management of interlinked sectors. For example, to reconcile possible competing demands for water for energy and agriculture, while conserving ecosystems. Secondly, we need more inclusive governance, to enable place-based solutions that are both just and sustainable.”
The European Water Resilience Strategy is an important step, but to take the transition forward, Water Europe has a crucial role to play – with SINTEF contributing knowledge across multiple dimensions.
