Water Europe’s renewed vision paper: toward a water-smart society

A paradigm shift in how we value water

The paper introduces a paradigm shift in how water is understood, valued, and managed. Rather than treating water as an invisible input or cost, it advocates for recognizing water as a central, shared asset, one that requires smart solutions, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term investment.

Key elements of the Water-Smart Society include:

• Avoiding water scarcity and pollution through better use of all water sources
• Closing water and resource loops to support a circular economy
• Building climate- and population-resilient water systems
• Involving all levels of society in sustainable water governance, from cities and industries to farmers and citizens
• Leveraging digital water technologies and cyber-physical systems for better decision-making
• Ensuring that the human right to water is met through availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and safety

A roadmap for innovation, resilience, and equity

The vision is built not just on technical fixes but also on new partnerships and governance practices. It emphasizes that achieving a Water-Smart Society will require both infrastructure transformation and a long-term commitment to innovation. It calls for active participation from public authorities, industries, scientists, natural stewards, and communities alike.

While rooted in the European context, many of the insights and strategies are applicable worldwide.

PNO’s role in shaping the vision

The team at PNO in Italy (formerly CiaoTech – PNO Group) helped shape the Water-Smart Society model featured in this vision paper. The same model also contributed to the Circular Water Blueprint presented to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands by the Global Expert Group for Circular Water.

Want to explore the full vision paper?

Download the Water Europe Vision Paper or browse additional insights from our teams across Europe.