It is clear we need to use water more carefully. Spotting water leaks is a good place to start.
Europe’s water losses
26 % of Europe’s water never reaches people, it is lost before it even flows from the tap. Losses happen both in distribution networks and inside homes & businesses. And country differences are huge*:
- United Kingdom ~20% losses
- Denmark ~7-8% losses
- Germany ~5-8% losses
- France ~19–26% losses
- Sweden ~17% losses
- Finland ~15% losses
- Norway ~ 29% losses
In some parts of southern Europe, water losses can reach 40-70%.
Being the best in class, what can we learn from Germany and Denmark?
Denmark
- Since 1994, waterworks with a water loss of more than 10% have been forced to pay a penalty fee to the state.
- All properties must install water meters.
- Systemic measure includes using new technologies and methods to monitor water and detect even small pipeline leaks.
Germany
- After World War II, Germany’s water system was largely rebuilt, and in 1990, after the country reunited, the infrastructure in the eastern states was modernised.
- Almost every household has a water meter.
- The water sector has binding standards for leak detection and network monitoring, which is fairly unique in Europe.
- Pipe inspections are scheduled based on actual water loss, from once every six years for low-loss networks to annually for networks with higher losses of water.
- Investments in maintenance, modernisation and expansion have been systemic and continuous. A total of 87,8 billion euros has been invested between 1990 and 2023. With that said, current investment needs are estimated at 800 billion euros by 2045.
Europe’s water scarcity is expected to worsen, and how we use — and lose — water will determine how severe the problem becomes. Losing 26% of all water before it reaches consumers is a huge waste and a sign of resource inefficiency, but it also reflects complex, historical, and regional factors.
EU member states are now preparing a standard for reporting water losses. All countries were due to report water leakage in January 2026, and the EU will set a threshold for acceptable leakage by January 2028.
*Note: Numbers come from national data; years and measurement methods may vary.