Sweco Calls for Smarter Investment in Europe's Water Infrastructure

STOCKHOLM, Oct. 5, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Sweco, a Swedish engineering and consultancy firm, has released a new report highlighting the urgent need for smarter investment in Europe’s water infrastructure.

According to the report, water service providers in Europe currently invest approximately €52.5 billion annually in drinking-water and wastewater infrastructure. However, many water networks are ageing faster than they can be renewed, leading to a significant investment gap of around €23 billion per year. This gap highlights the challenge not just in how much Europe invests, but in how effectively that investment is targeted.

The report recommends four strategic shifts in how water infrastructure is planned, renewed, and managed: 1. From reactive replacement to risk-based renewal. 2. From individual assets to interconnected systems. 3. From fixed investment plans to adaptive pathways. 4. From data collection to digital and AI-supported decision-making.

Sweco’s analysis illustrates the scale of Europe’s renewal challenge. At current reinvestment rates, the implied time to replace drinking-water networks ranges from around 90 years in Belgium to around 1,000 years in Lithuania. In Finland and Poland, it exceeds 500 years, while in several other countries, it is between 120 and 200 years.

Recent projects for Sweco clients across Europe demonstrate the practical application of these approaches. For instance, in Jersey, integrated digital modelling has demonstrated the potential to reduce untreated discharges to St Aubin's Bay by 90%. In Germany, dynamic modelling is supporting targeted measures to strengthen wastewater treatment capacity. In Sweden, operational data is helping prioritize pumping-station investments. In the Netherlands, Sweco is supporting the renewal of critical wastewater systems and more resilient flood protection.

These findings underscore the need for a more strategic and adaptive approach to water infrastructure investment in Europe. By focusing on risk-based renewal and interconnected systems, water utilities and municipalities can better prepare for the challenges posed by climate change and other environmental pressures.