The European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, has written an article for Protothema.gr, addressing the quality of water across EU member states and outlining the initiatives planned to improve water resource management.

A Strategic Shift in Water Management

“We have entered an era of fierce global competition—for energy, raw materials, and new technologies. In this context, we need a shift in mindset regarding water access. Water is no longer a given; it is a strategic resource vital to our security.”

However, Europe’s water resources are under severe strain:

• Floods and droughts are becoming more frequent.
• Water quality is deteriorating due to pollution and climate change.
• Demand for water is increasing, especially from data centers that require millions of liters of water annually to sustain the digital economy.
• From land to oceans, the water cycle is breaking down.

A New EU Water Strategy

As the first-ever Commissioner responsible for water, Roswall is prioritizing water management on the EU Commission’s agenda. Later in 2025, she will present the EU Water Strategy, beginning with an in-depth analysis of the state of rivers, floods, and marine ecosystems across member states.

Key Findings from EU Reports

• Water pollution is widespread, affecting both freshwater and marine ecosystems.
• Water supply is at risk due to climate change and overconsumption.
• The threat of severe flooding is rising.
• Only 37% of EU surface waters are in good ecological condition (meaning they have minimal human-induced alterations).
• Just 29% of waters meet good chemical standards, with many exceeding dangerous pollutant levels.
• Mercury and other toxic substances are major pollutants, along with PFAS chemicals (known as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistence in the environment).

Challenges for Greece and Southern Europe

Roswall highlights that water challenges vary across Europe.

• Mediterranean regions, including Greece, face drought, floods, water shortages, and pollution from agriculture and industry.
• Over-extraction of groundwater is a major stress factor.
• Greece was late in submitting its water data but is known to be struggling with water quantity and quality issues.

Next Steps: Public Consultation & EU-Wide Collaboration

The EU is launching a public consultation to collect insights from citizens, businesses, and policymakers. These ideas will help shape the final EU Water Strategy, which will be officially introduced later in 2025.

EU’s Three Main Goals for Water Management

1. Restoring the Water Cycle

• Strengthening water governance with inclusive policies.
• Investing in modern infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
• Increasing public and private funding for sustainable water management.

2. Advancing a Competitive & Circular Water Economy

• The EU leads in water technology, holding 40% of global water management patents.
• The strategy aims to boost innovation in water tech and expand EU expertise to global markets.

3. Ensuring Clean Water for Everyone

• Water is essential for citizens, industries, and agriculture.
• The EU must reduce pressure on water resources, ensure water security, and enhance industry competitiveness in the sector.

Europe Must Lead the Global Transition to Smarter Water Management

“In the global race for resources, Europe must lead the transition to water-smart societies.”
— Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience & Circular Economy.