Europe is a global leader in digital water solutions, with countries including Denmark, the Netherlands, and the U.K. at the forefront. The region is shaped by a diverse set of water systems, regulatory frameworks, asset sizes, environmental pressures, and supra-national funding. As such, Bluefield Research anticipates strong demand for digital water solutions in Europe, underpinning a cumulative US$196 billion in spending from 2024 to 2033.
Investment in digital water solutions is fueled by the need for greater efficiency in operations and energy usage along with stringent compliance monitoring and accountability standards. The European Union (EU) plays an important role in financing and regulation, further incentivizing the adoption of digital technologies in the public sector and critical infrastructure.
As utility demand intensifies and the workforce and resources dwindle, the business case for proven digital solutions wins credibility and becomes more widely accepted among utilities, while the vendor landscape becomes more competitive. The market is currently dominated by established water technology players, but new market entrants are making inroads through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Additionally, emerging startups are challenging the status quo, particularly with software-based solutions.
This report offers a comprehensive analysis of Europe’s digital water market, including hardware, software, services, and connectivity. Bluefield’s bottom-up approach provides a detailed view of the current landscape, potential for future growth, and insights into major drivers and trends, the competitive environment, and detailed company profiles of 20 digital water incumbents.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Drivers & Trends
- Water Market Trends and Drivers – Setting the Pace of Change
- Digital Maturity – Inconsistent Needs and Experiences
- European Market Structure – Fragmented Landscape
- Investment Market Attractiveness – Key Market Variables & Trends to Watch
- Europe’s Water Sector – Market Maturity Curve
- Funding Structure
- Regulatory Framework
- Turning Points – Workforce Gaps, Isolationist Tendencies, Energy Prices
- Cybersecurity – Increased Awareness vs. Budget and Skills Shortage
- Mapping the Opportunity – Key Funding and Digital Water Plans
Section 2: Market Forecasts
- Evaluating the Demand Landscape – Market Growth Drivers
- Bringing It All Together – Bluefield Digital Water Market Model Formula
- Sizing the Addressable Market – Utility Tiers by Region
- Sizing the Addressable Market – Utility Assets by Region
- Quantifying Spend – Digital Water Pricing by Utility Size
- Mapping the Opportunity – European Markets Covered
- Pockets of Opportunity – Digital Water Spend for Top 31 European Markets
- ‘Big Five’ Lead European Market – 10-Year Digital Water Spend by Country
- SCADA, Metering Take Lion’s Share – 10-Year Digital Water Spend by Segment
- Leveraging Data – AI/ML Enhances Digital Water Solutions
- Water Market Positioning Outlook
- Western Europe Market Outlook
- Southern Europe Market Outlook
- U.K. & Ireland Market Outlook
- Central Europe Market Outlook
- Nordics Market Outlook
- Eastern Europe & Baltics Market Outlook
- Leading Market Outlook
Section 3: Competitive Landscape
- Key Competitive Trends Emerging Across Digital Water Landscape
- Tracking Vendor Growth Trajectory – Historical Digital Water Market Trends
- Portfolio Expansion – Organic and Inorganic Growth Strategies
- Acquisition Hot Spots – Digital Water M&A Trends in Europe
- European M&A Deals by Country
- Market Consolidation – Strategic Growth via M&A
- Capital Flows – Investments Support Early-Stage Growth
- Notable M&A and VC Investment Deals
- Vendor Landscape – Hardware and Software Companies
- Beyond Technology – The Role of Service Providers
Section 4: Key Company Profiles
- ABB
- Autodesk
- Badger Meter
- Bentley Systems
- DHI
- Diehl Metering
- Esri
- Grundfos
- Halma
- Hexagon AB
- Honeywell
- Kamstrup
- LACROIX
- Mueller Water Products
- Ovarro
- Schneider Electric
- Siemens
- Suez
- Veolia
- Xylem
Appendix: Digital Water Segment Definitions
Glossary