EurEau Briefing Note – The criticality of energy security to achieve resilient water services

Water services, including drinking water and wastewater, are essential to human rights, public health, environmental protection, and Europe’s climate resilience, competitiveness, and security. Europe’s overall security depends on water security, which in turn relies on resilient water services. Such resilience cannot be achieved without access to reliable, secure, and affordable energy. As energy security has become an increasing concern for the European water sector, this paper examines the key challenges and opportunities involved. It explores how water services can contribute to a more resilient European energy system and assesses innovative economic and financial instruments needed to meet investment requirements and strengthen long-term energy security.