Building blocks: Water efficiency activities

It has been estimated that the water saving potential in Europe stands at 40%. This clearly illustrates the importance of improving water efficiency across a variety of sectors as one aspect of tackling water scarcity and droughts measures. Activities in this area cover four different areas:

• Buildings and water efficiency
• Water-using products
• Reducing leakages in water networks

• Halting desertification through technologies and good practices

Buildings and water efficiency

This study will build on previous studies completed in 2009 and further assess their findings on policy options to tackle water performance of buildings and to assess the environmental, economic and social impacts of the proposed measures/combination of measures. The conclusions from the study will identify measures that could bring the most benefit in terms of water saving.

Please see the tender specifications for more details on objectives and deliverables of this study (also available in French and German).

A previously completed study on the water performance of buildings, which analyses the need for the introduction of requirements for the water performance of buildings at EU level for discussing the potential advantages and disadvantages of such an approach, will feed into the current study.

After analysing the policy tools and the water performance of building assessment methodologies, the study reveals that EU action could bring benefits in terms of water savings in buildings. The report explains that most of the savings could be reached with the use of water efficient products and recommends developing efficiency standards for water-using products as a priority action, and taking several long-term initiatives towards higher water performance of buildings. In the course of the 2012 Policy Review, the Commission will undertake a further assessment of the regulatory and non-regulatory policy options identified in this study in terms of their technical, environmental and economic feasibility and will consult stakeholders on the way forward. 

• Read the full report of the study.

Water-using products

A previously completed study on efficiency standards for water using products (July 2009) will also feed into the project on buildings and water efficiency. This study provides an overview of water using products and the existing policy instruments related to them covering also water efficiency standards for water-using devices used in Europe and some other countries outside Europe.

It analyses the potential of introducing water efficiency standards for Water-using Products (WuPs) at EU level, for the household, commercial, industry and agriculture sectors, and taking into account the use patterns, potential for improvement, water efficiency and market trends for each one of them. It shows that the most relevant products in this matter are those used for sanitation, laundry, washing and outdoor applications. At the industrial level it was noted that figures available are either scarce or too industry-specific, therefore the study focused on the products which are widely used across different industries (cleaning, steam generation, and cooling equipment). Concerning agriculture, difficulties were identified in determining how to measure the water efficiency of irrigation systems, due to the fact that this is dependent on user management practises.

 The study identifies the need for an EU approach that could contribute to water efficiency across Europe, regardless of the variation in climate, population or land use practices in Member States.

• Read the full report of the study.

A study from 2007 on the water saving potential in Europe, estimates that water efficiency could be improved by nearly 40% through technological improvements alone and that changes in human behaviour or production patterns could further increase such savings. In a business as usual scenario the study estimates that water consumption by the public, industry and agriculture would increase by 16% by 2030. Conversely, the use of water-saving technologies and irrigation management in the industrial and agricultural sectors could reduce excesses by as much as 43.

• Read the full report of the study on the EU water saving potential: part 1 (pdf ~ 4.4MB) and part 2 (pdf ~ 812KB)

• Read the executive summary (pdf ~ 13KB)

Reducing leakages in water distribution networks

This pilot project will identify the options for establishing a more efficient water distribution system and reducing water losses and related economic losses in Europe. This will be done through the development of pilot studies in water-scarce parts of Europe which will analyse and quantify the factors of relevance for leakages at a river basin level and determine the links between the leakages and the cost structures in each basin. The studies shall also identify best practices for minimising water-losses in the EU or other relevant countries and provide recommendations on the possibilities to apply these best practices to areas with high losses

The expected main output of the project is a consolidated analysis and recommendations on best practices for water efficiency in distribution systems in the EU, as well as recommendations on how the findings of the project could be integrated into policy and the impacts thereof.

Please see the tender specifications for more details on objectives and deliverables of this study (also available in French and German).

Pilot project on prevention activities to halt desertification in Europe

The objective of this pilot project is to support the development of concrete pilot initiatives on innovative technologies, techniques or practices for halting desertification in Europe and to contribute to the exchange of best practices at the local level on four issues: conservation of rainwater and surface water, alternative forms of irrigation, water saving/water efficiency measures and crops less water-intensive crops.

Please see the Guidelines for grant applications for more details on objectives and deliverables of this study.