Groundwater protection, data-driven policymaking, and the future of digital water governance took centre stage in Brussels on 2 June, as policymakers, researchers, and EU representatives gathered for a high-level parliamentary session organised by the MAR2PROTECT project.

Held against the backdrop of ongoing European discussions on environmental legislation, sustainability, and competitiveness, the event delivered a clear message: safeguarding Europe’s groundwater resources is no longer an environmental option but a strategic necessity.

The session formed part of a broader parliamentary debate on pollution reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management, reinforcing water’s pivotal role in Europe’s green and digital transitions.

Groundwater Moves to the Top of the Policy Agenda

As the European Union seeks to strengthen its environmental ambitions while maintaining economic competitiveness, groundwater emerged as a critical issue linking environmental protection, public health, climate adaptation, and long-term economic resilience.

Discussions highlighted the need for more integrated approaches to water management, recognising that groundwater ecosystems are essential to the health of the entire hydrological cycle and must be considered within a broader systems perspective.

Science Must Drive Water Policy

A recurring theme throughout the session was the importance of ensuring that science remains at the heart of policymaking.

Rolf-Jan Hoeve (DG RTD) stressed that scientific evidence must continue to guide Europe’s water policies, particularly as policymakers confront increasingly complex environmental challenges.

Speakers called for a shift away from fragmented sectoral approaches towards integrated water governance that reflects the interconnected nature of ecosystems, water resources, and human activities.

Looking ahead, digitalisation and artificial intelligence were identified as transformative tools for the future of water management. Vasileios Tyriakidis (REA) highlighted their growing potential to improve monitoring systems, strengthen early-warning capabilities, and support evidence-based decision-making in the post-2027 programming period.

From Research Results to Real-World Impact

The debate also focused on the challenge of translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions.

Participants agreed that Europe already possesses a strong scientific foundation and significant technological capacity. The priority now is to accelerate the deployment of proven solutions and ensure that research outcomes effectively support policy implementation.

Isaac Ojea (DG RTD) underlined the importance of harmonising monitoring methodologies across Member States and improving electronic reporting systems. While digital reporting is increasingly essential, he noted that reporting processes must become simpler, more efficient, and easier for stakeholders to use.

Addressing the importance of robust evidence for policymaking, Bertha Vallejo (IHE Delft) emphasised that comparable data is fundamental to informed decision-making. She noted that, in some contexts, limiting reporting requirements to a smaller number of pollutants has helped reduce complexity while enabling monitoring systems to be scaled more effectively across different local settings.

Vasileios Tyriakidis (REA) further stressed that groundwater ecosystems should be recognised as a priority area for future European research and innovation investments, particularly as digital technologies become increasingly central to environmental governance.

Rethinking Society’s Relationship with Water

Beyond policy and technology, the session offered broader reflections on how society values water.

MEP Helder Sousa Silva drew attention to the paradox that water, despite being indispensable for life, is often perceived as less valuable than other essential resources. Comparing water prices with those of electricity, he questioned whether current economic signals adequately reflect water’s true societal importance.

Rolf-Jan Hoeve (DG RTD) highlighted another disconnect while citizens can easily access real-time information through digital applications—from public transport schedules to weather forecasts—equally accessible information on water quality and contamination remains largely unavailable. Improving public access to environmental information, he argued, could play an important role in raising awareness and strengthening public engagement.

The discussion also addressed the growing challenge of misinformation and public perception surrounding water-related environmental risks. Ana Pereiro (MAR2PROTECT Coordinator) highlighted the need for clearer communication on the links between climate change and water quality, particularly regarding contaminants of emerging concern such as PFAS.

She noted that while microplastics have become widely recognised by the public and frequently feature in media coverage, other pollutants with potentially significant long-term impacts on water resources often receive far less attention. This imbalance in public perception can create knowledge gaps and make it more difficult to build awareness around emerging threats to groundwater ecosystems.

Pereiro stressed that improving educational roadmaps will ensure that citizens have access to reliable, evidence-based information will be essential for fostering informed public debate and supporting effective water policies in the years ahead.

Key Priorities for the Future of Water Governance

The discussion identified several priorities for strengthening water governance across Europe:

• Simplifying electronic reporting systems across Member States.
• Harmonising monitoring methodologies to improve data comparability.
• Developing adaptive monitoring frameworks tailored to local environmental conditions.
• Regularly updating pollutant lists based on emerging scientific evidence and new environmental risks.
• Accelerating the uptake of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in water management.

A clear political conclusion

Against the backdrop of the 2 June 2026 European Parliamentary agenda, the MAR2PROTECT session reinforced a central conclusion:

Groundwater protection is not only an environmental objective — it is a strategic pillar of Europe’s resilience, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Key points from Water Europe and ZeroPollution4Water Cluster representatives emphasized the value of collaborative action, harmonized monitoring approaches, and evidence-based policymaking to drive the transition towards a resilient and pollution-free water environment.

From within this political context, the MAR2PROTECT project continues its mission to strengthen the link between science, policy, and innovation, ensuring that Europe protects its most vital resource: water. We extend our sincere thanks to all panellists for their valuable contributions and for helping turn dialogue into tangible action.

Take a look at the video down below!