VDMA Valves Supports Water Resilience Strategy Put Forth by EU Commission

FRANKFURT, GERMANY — Climate change, demographic changes and water scarcity make a conscious and future-oriented approach to water essential. Against this backdrop, VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design and VDMA Valves support the water resilience strategy recently published by the EU Commission. The strategy aims to ensure a sustainable water supply in Europe. In doing so, it sends a strong political signal for the protection of this vital resource - and also emphasizes the key role of water efficiency and water reuse.

"Households in Europe are responsible for 13 percent of water use and 28 percent of water abstraction," explains Frank Wiehmeier, Vice President of Sales Central Europe at Hansgrohe Group and board member of VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design. "We are therefore pleased that the EU Commission is following our proposal and recognizes the potential of modern sanitary and installation technology for a more water-resilient society—from efficient and circular water management technologies to strengthening investments in water infrastructure."

Efficiency in Buildings 

Modern sanitary and installation technology promote a resource-conserving use of water and therefore make a significant contribution in reducing energy consumption in buildings. Savings in hot water heating and use in particular have been proven to reduce energy consumption in buildings.

"We welcome the fact that the strategy clearly emphasizes the close connection between water and energy efficiency and demands for its consistent anchoring in the European Performance of Building Directive," says Dr. Laura Dorfer, Managing Director of VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design and VDMA Valves. "Against this backdrop, we are calling on the German government to use the upcoming amendment to the German Building Energy Law (GEG) to include sanitary and installation technology in the energy balance of buildings in the spirit of technological openness. This would effectively reduce the second largest energy consumption item in buildings and make a sustainable contribution to reducing emissions."

Signal for Sustainability

The EU Commission is also placing a strong focus on the reuse of water. "In order to strengthen water reuse practices across sectors, the contributions of corresponding technologies in buildings to a more water-resilient society should also be taken into account. Scientifically sound and hygienically validated, important potential can be leveraged and topics such as water circularity in buildings can be developed and promoted in a targeted manner," emphasizes Wiehmeier.

Implementing a Consistent Strategy

With its focus on water efficiency and water reuse, the water resilience strategy has the key levers in place. The task now is to implement them consistently in practice. "The sanitary industry already has the relevant technological answers to the water-related challenges of our time—not least because the human right to drinking water and sanitary facilities can only be guaranteed if this important resource is used responsibly. Therefore, politicians must now create the regulatory conditions based on the strategy so that the sanitary and installation technology industry can fully exploit its potential to ensure a water-resilient society," concludes Dr. Dorfer.