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Water resilience: Navigating the challenges of a changing built environment
20 January 2025
How can contractors address water stress, excess, and water quality amidst new EU legislation? FIEC looks at the roles and responsibilities contractors will have.

Water is a crucial resource for both life and industry, and it is increasingly becoming a focal point for the construction sector in Europe. From water stress to excess water and the rising importance of water quality, contractors face a growing number of challenges that demand urgent attention. At the same time, the construction industry possesses the expertise to both adapt to these challenges and provide innovative solutions for climate mitigation. With water management now at the core of new EU legislation, the sector leverages its capabilities to build a resilient and sustainable future.
The twin challenge
Europe is experiencing an intensifying contrast of water issues. On one side, water stress is becoming more widespread, particularly in Southern Europe, as climate change accelerates the frequency and severity of droughts. Areas once abundant with water sources are now facing severe scarcity, with agricultural, industrial, and residential sectors competing for limited water supplies. The built environment is not immune to these pressures. Contractors are increasingly tasked with designing and constructing buildings and infrastructure that reduce water consumption, while also finding sustainable ways to harness, reuse and recycle water in construction processes.
Conversely, parts of Northern and Central Europe are grappling with the opposite problem: excess water. Heavy rainfall, flooding and rising sea levels are now regular concerns. Contractors are under pressure to integrate effective drainage systems, flood defenses, and resilience strategies into urban planning. Excessive rainwater can overwhelm infrastructure, causing both short-term disruption and long-term damage to structures. As cities grow, managing water effectively is no longer a supplementary concern, but an essential aspect of construction.
Role of water quality
Water quality is another critical challenge in the built environment. Contaminants, from chemical runoff to biological hazards, affect both the health of inhabitants and the quality of water supplies. For contractors, meeting increasingly stringent water quality standards in construction sites and finished projects is paramount. This includes ensuring safe potable water, using non-toxic materials in construction, and implementing systems to prevent water contamination.
Innovations in water filtration systems, wastewater treatment technologies, and sustainable drainage solutions are all integral to addressing these concerns. Moreover, as the demand for green building certifications rises, adherence to water quality and conservation practices is becoming a key criterion in securing these credentials. Water-efficient design is no longer just an option but an imperative, with contractors needing to adopt strategies that mitigate contamination risks while maintaining efficiency.
New EU Mandate
The European Union has recognised the vital role water management plays in a sustainable future. After its Green Deal and the European Climate Law, water is further emerging as a central priority in the next phase of the EU’s mandate for a clean future. The bloc’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 implies the integration of water management into all sectors. At the same time, it is fundamental to maintain the Union’s competitiveness in times of global turmoil. A strong construction industry remains a key factor in this transformation.
The European Union is putting forward regulations that will expand its focus on water conservation and quality. Among these, the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR) is now incorporating water-related criteria. This includes mandatory water-saving technologies in construction products or requirements to limit water usage during construction. Furthermore, it is expected to boost incentives for the adoption of water-efficient technologies through financial mechanisms such as the EU Green Taxonomy review and the Horizon Europe research programme, which funds water-related innovation in construction.
Water strategy
Within the European Commission, the newly appointed Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, holds a portfolio focused on strengthening water security through the development of a European Water Resilience Strategy. This strategy may serve as the Commission’s response to the EU Blue Deal, a proposal championed by the European Economic and Social Committee.
However, ensuring the availability of adequate financial resources – through the facilitation of both public and private investments in water infrastructure and its maintenance – remains a critical challenge. The European construction industry welcomes the prioritisation of water challenges by the new European Commission, recognising the urgency of addressing water resilience and the pivotal role the sector can play in driving forward sustainable solutions.
Challenges ahead
As the construction industry faces increasing pressure to address water stress, excess water, and water quality concerns, the need for proactive, yet manageable measures has never been clearer. Contractors must adapt to an evolving regulatory landscape that promotes water resilience. This can only work with clear defenses from imposing more excessive burdens on companies. The EU’s legislative framework must provide a clear roadmap, balancing immediate actions with long-term goals that will shape the industry’s approach to water management.
From water-efficient construction methods to integrated flood defenses and sustainable water quality practices, contractors are not only building infrastructure – they are playing a critical role in safeguarding Europe’s water security for the future.
By embracing these challenges within a balanced regulatory environment, the built environment can align with EU priorities while driving innovation. With the right framework in place, that is not overwhelming companies by excessive regulatory pressure, the construction sector will be in the position to provide the tools needed to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
The European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) is Ambassador of the #WaterWiseEU campaign launched by DG Environment of the European Commission, under the slogan “See water differently”. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the stress placed on Europe’s water systems and to spotlight the many available solutions to tackle issues related to water.
To underline the commitment of the European construction industry to the work of legislators and regulators in addressing water stress, excess water, and water quality, FIEC will hold its Annual Conference dedicated to water challenges in May 2025 in Athens (Greece). Discussions will focus on potential solutions and approaches to these issues. And the debate will be extended to EU decision-makers and institutions’ representatives. One of our overall key messages is already clear: the European construction industry has the spirit and capacity to build solutions to provide essential services in tackling water challenges. FIEC will thus continue making all its possible efforts and taking adequate action towards the achievement of water-related goals to the benefit of the EU economy, the citizens and the environment.
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