Article – Tackling Europe´s water problems requires new ways of governance

Three new research and innovation projects tackle Europe’s water problems by putting into test collaborative and cross-sectoral solutions.

Water has been poised to be the next crisis for Europe. Devastating droughts and floods have caused significant economic, social and environmental damages and are expected to be further exacerbated with climate change. Aquatic ecosystems continue to be severely affected by pollution and hydromorphological changes. While water scarcity has pushed several European countries to restrict water use, leakages and losses from drinking water systems are on average as high as 25%.