Podcast host Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield Senior Analyst Maria Cardenal to discuss leakage reduction and digital water investment across Europe. During AMP7, England’s utilities reduced leakage by 9% against a 16% target. AMP8 asks them to cut it by another 17%. Meanwhile, Bluefield forecasts annual European digital water spending to grow from US$12.7 billion in 2026 to nearly US$28 billion by 2036.
The conversation examines what’s behind England’s leakage gap, what AMP8 signals for continental utilities, and the forces driving Europe’s digital water landscape. They also explore the role of AI and automation, and whether the sector is getting better at turning data into operational results.
Key questions addressed:
- How did England end up facing potential drought through summer 2027 while losing roughly one-fifth of its treated water, and why does it matter beyond the U.K.?
- England and Wales missed their leakage targets despite significant investment. If utilities know where the water is going, why is it so hard to stop losing it?
- Is AMP8 a preview of where the rest of Europe is heading, and what can continental utilities learn from it?
- What’s driving the expected growth of Europe’s digital water market to nearly US$28 billion annually by 2036, and who stands to benefit?
- Utilities have more network data than ever, yet water losses remain enormous. Are we getting better at measuring problems than solving them?
- Is the real opportunity in AI for the water sector about intelligence, or simply helping utilities do more with fewer people?
- Ten years out, who wins in digital water?
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Related Research & Analysis:
- Europe Digital Water Landscape: Trends and Growth Forecasts, 2026–2036
- AMP8 Leakage Targets Face Reality
The Future of Water
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