Strategic Research Agenda

a common vision for water innovation Publication 2010 The water and wastewater services play a major economic role in European countries, providing close to 600,000 jobs for more than 70,000 water services operators. It is also worth noting the importance of investments in infrastructure assets, with more than 3.5 Mio. km of drinking water networks, more than 2.2 Mio. km of wastewater networks and almost 70,000 wastewater treatment plants. Investments in the sector represent overall more than 33,000 Mio. € annually. The turnover for this sector is around 72,000 Mio. € annually. Our vision “By 2030 the European water sector is the leading centre of expertise for providing safe, clean and affordable water services while protecting nature. The sector applies a variety of new integrated approaches to solve diverse and interlinked problems. It uses efficient and sustainable technologies which enhance the social, economic and environmental well-being of the community as well as the health and well-being of the planet and its peoples.