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Xylem Inc.

Xylem is a global water technology company providing solutions for water and resource management.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Anna Nykiel-mateo (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné) and Veolia Environnement and Grundfos A/S

15 Jan 2026 · UPFAS restriction and water filtration technologies

Meeting with Vita Jukne (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall) and Veolia Environnement and

13 Jan 2026 · Impact of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) restriction on Water Technologies

Meeting with Thomas Bajada (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Dec 2025 · Meeting on Water Resilience Strategy

Meeting with Nicola De Michelis (Director Regional and Urban Policy) and Third Generation Environmentalism Ltd and

5 Nov 2025 · Cohesion policy investments under the present MFF and good practices/frameworks to serve as model for the future MFF

Meeting with Felix Fernandez-Shaw (Director Directorate-General for International Partnerships) and Nokia and

25 Jul 2025 · Exchange of views on the expansion of the Port of San Antonio in Chile

Meeting with Hanna Anttilainen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné), Laia Pinos Mataro (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné) and

17 Jun 2025 · Simplification agenda, Omnibus Packages; Clean Industrial Deal, Affordable Energy Action Plan

Meeting with Arthur Corbin (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné), Laia Pinos Mataro (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné) and

12 Jun 2025 · Challenges and opportunities in Europe’s Water Sector

Meeting with Ruth Reichstein (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen) and SUEZ Group and

27 May 2025 · The EU Water Resilience Strategy

Meeting with Ruth Reichstein (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen) and SUEZ Group and

27 May 2025 · to follow

Meeting with Claudia Canevari (Head of Unit Energy)

21 May 2025 · Water-energy nexus (relevant provisions of the Energy Efficiency Directive recast), forthcoming Water Resilience Strategy.

Meeting with Mirka Janda (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto)

21 May 2025 · Cohesion Funds and Water Resilience Strategy

Meeting with Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall)

2 Apr 2025 · Water Resilience Strategy

Meeting with Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall) and SUEZ Group and

27 Mar 2025 · Meeting with Digital Water Coalition on Water Resilience Strategy

Response to 2025 Strategic Foresight Report

18 Mar 2025

Scope: what are the main challenges to long-term EU resilience and what are the strengths on which Europe can build it? Water availability, both in terms of quality and quantities, will be a challenge for EUs long-term resilience. Development of European Water Resources Plan can support towards managing this challenge. Imagine 2040: How would you characterise a resilient EU in 2040? A water-secure and a water-resilient EU to support its competitiveness and availability of water for its citizens and future generations. Long-term resilience: Which critical policy actions should be initiated today to strengthen resilience in the EU by 2040? Deliver a strong and ambitious European Water Resilience Strategy and follow up actions to ensure EUs resilience by 2040. Synergies and tensions: What crucial synergies and tensions can be identified across various EU priorities which might, respectively, help or hamper EUs long-term resilience? EUs strategic autonomy is highly dependent on water availability quantity and quality therefore, National Water Risk Assessment and Preparedness Plans should be developed by each Member State to support EUs long-term resilience by 2040. Please find our detailed input to the Strategic Foresight 2025 report attached.
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Meeting with Axel Hellman (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall)

6 Mar 2025 · Water resilience

Xylem Calls for Mandated Digitalization and Dedicated EU Water Funding

4 Mar 2025
Topic — The consultation addresses a holistic strategy for water security and resource management.
Message — Xylem proposes enshrining a water efficiency principle in law to reduce consumption and eliminate leakage. They advocate for an EU Action Plan on Digitalization and dedicated water infrastructure funding.12
Why — Policy-driven mandates for digital monitoring would create significant new markets for Xylem's technologies.3
Impact — Large industrial water users would face higher costs as volume-based discounts are eliminated.4
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Meeting with Claudia Olazabal (Head of Unit Environment) and Siemens AG and

25 Feb 2025 · Exchange of views on digitalisation in the water sector

Meeting with Gaelle Marion (Head of Unit Agriculture and Rural Development) and SUEZ Group and

19 Feb 2025 · Water Resilience Strategy and Agriculture

Meeting with Thomas Bajada (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and ECOLAB and

5 Feb 2025 · Meeting on Water Resilience Strategy

Meeting with Pär Holmgren (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur for opinion)

31 Jan 2025 · Water resilience

Meeting with Pietro Fiocchi (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Jan 2025 · Problematica Acque

Meeting with Dario Tamburrano (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Jan 2025 · Direttiva sul trattamento delle acque reflue urbane

Meeting with Tiemo Wölken (Member of the European Parliament) and SUEZ Group and Danfoss A/S

21 Jan 2025 · Digitisation of the water sector (staff level)

Response to Assessment of the energy efficiency public funding support at Union and national level

26 Feb 2024

Xylem is a global water technology company, solving water challenges across the whole water cycle. We welcome the call for evidence to assess the energy efficiency funding, both public and private, at EU and national level in view of the revised EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) implementation and Europes climate neutrality target for 2050. In this contribution, we would particularly like to highlight the importance of the water-energy nexus, included in the revised EED, to consider in financing assessment and input to the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework for energy efficiency. The Water-Energy Nexus as major contributor to Energy Efficiency The inter-dependencies between water and energy are called the Water-Energy Nexus. Water is used throughout the energy industry for producing fuels, cooling thermal power plants, and generating electricity in hydropower plants. Conversely, the water system needs energy for collecting, pumping, treating and desalinating water. These issues make clear that the use and management of energy and water resources need to be addressed simultaneously, bearing in mind the fundamental difference between energy and water: that energy can be renewable, but water resources are finite. Only with a nexus approach is it possible to maximize opportunities in both systems, increasing energy efficiency in the water sector, using the water system to add flexibility to the power system, extracting more energy from water, and reducing the water footprint of the industries. Danfoss' comprehensive white paper quantified Europe's excess heat potential, enough to meet the hot water and heating needs of 500 million Europeans. While logistical challenges exist, a study suggests that by 2050, 48% of building heating and hot water consumption in Europe can be supplied by district heating and cooling networks, exclusively sourced from renewables and waste heat. Presently, 30% of district heating energy is derived from such sources. 90% of available waste heat originates from industry, emphasizing the necessity for industrial proximity to cities for effective utilization. The remaining 10% is contributed by human activities within cities, with wastewater emerging as a significant heat source waiting to be harnessed for a sustainable energy future. Cost-efficiency of innovative water-energy nexus technologies Today, we have all the available technologies to make that shift: The transportation of water is one of the most energy-intensive processes within the water industry. Intelligent pumps for wastewater management can save up to 70% energy per utility with 80% inventory reduction, e.g. lowering costs for utilities. Addressing water leakage is key in reducing energy consumption of water utilities as you need more energy to pump additional water that is lost in the system. Adaptive mixers that automatically match output to demand can achieve 47% energy savings by applying variable thrust based on aeration conditions. More examples can be found in the attached contribution. The Water-Energy Nexus has major contribution to energy efficiency across sectors utilities, industry, energy, buildings as recognized by the revised EED. However, so far public and private financing has not clearly articulated it as an area to be funded at the EU and national level. We call for inclusion of water-energy nexus as an integral part of existing and future financing schemes for energy efficiency and as part of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework. Such inclusion will strongly support the implementation of the revised EED as well as Europes decarbonization and climate neutrality targets. Finally, waste heat recovery from wastewater is included in the revised EED and it should be also included in future financing opportunities. More information can be found in the attached contribution.
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Response to Managing EU climate risks

20 Dec 2023

Xylem is a global water technologies company, and we would like to highlight several key points to be considered in the upcoming EU Communication on Managing Climate Risks. Water is the Unconventional Mitigation Pathway: a paradigm shift is needed in our approach to mitigation. Johan Rockström from the Stockholm Resilience Centre highlighted at COP28 that strategic investments in water infrastructure not only build resilience but also safeguard crucial carbon stocks and sinks. Phasing out fossil fuels is vital, but it's equally imperative to recognize that a 1.5-degree Celsius future can only be achieved by synergizing efforts in water resilience and transitioning away from oil, coal, and gas. The second task is to recognize that water is a pathway to mitigation. Investments in water build resilience and keep carbon stocks and sinks intact. So there is no 1. 5 degree Celsius future only by phasing out oil, coal, and gas. You also need investments in water to succeed. The water sector contributes to about 2% of the GHG emissions globally. For wastewater utilities, apart from CO2 emissions linked to the energy use by utilities, process emissions usually refer to methane and nitrous oxide, which escape from the biological treatment and sludge treatment processes. Research from McKinsey estimates that the wastewater sector emits between 7% and 10% of anthropogenic methane. Within the water sector, we still lack understanding of global emissions of carbon and, crucially, methane and nitrous oxide potent process emissions that pose a particular challenge for water utilities. GWI research estimates that the global water industry represents 1.8% of global carbon emissions and 4.7% of global methane emissions. Other estimates put emissions figures significantly higher at as much as 10% (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit). The water sector is often linked to climate adaptation measures which are about addressing issues after climate related events have happened. However, with the water sector GHG emissions contribution, we should look into climate mitigation measures to combat the root causes of climate change and risks. The same goes for the circular economy it needs to be done with solutions that have minimum climate impact. For example, in the wastewater sector this will mean building resilience by optimizing biological treatment, reducing nitrous oxide emissions and through biogas production build resilience also on the energy side. Leading water utilities are starting to take a voluntary mitigation approach, they do not believe that they will succeed if the mitigation topic is not addressed. In order to address full climate mitigation and risks, the water sector should be included in the EU 2040 climate targets with clear goals and timelines. Moreover, in addressing climate risks for the water sector, three other areas need to be addressed: governance, infrastructure and skills. On governance, there is work to be done to review whether the current EU models are fit for the future. Considerations for EU and Member State level of governance model, enabling both public and private utilities to report and achieve objectives more coherently, would be an option. Governance is currently underinvested; it should be proportional and enabling the long-term operation of infrastructure. Moreover, the European water and wastewater infrastructure is aging, and we should address climate risks by investing in climate-proof future infrastructure. Last but not least, skills to drive the transformation in the water sector are missing as they are in many other sectors. The EU can support with Skills Academies and funding towards this need. Its only through collective action that we can bridge the emissions gap and scale climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. The more we can learn from each other, the faster we can move towards building resilient, sustainable water systems that are designed to manage climate risks
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Xylem calls for broader water tech inclusion in EU Taxonomy

2 May 2023
Topic — The EU is defining sustainable investment criteria for water and marine resource protection.
Message — Xylem requests that the criteria include leakage assessment tools, distribution infrastructure, and emergency flood response technologies. They also argue that digital management solutions should be integrated throughout all water-related categories.123
Why — Broadening the criteria allows Xylem's specialized water technologies to qualify for sustainable finance.45
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Meeting with Deirdre Clune (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European Environmental Bureau and

29 Mar 2023 · Stakeholder Consultation on Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive

Meeting with Nils Torvalds (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

20 Feb 2023 · Urban wastewater treatment

Meeting with Deirdre Clune (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Veolia Environnement and

7 Feb 2023 · Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive

Meeting with Margrete Auken (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and SUEZ Group and

7 Feb 2023 · Recast of the UWWTD

Meeting with Arunas Ribokas (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius) and SUEZ Group and

5 Jul 2022 · To discuss the review of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive

Meeting with Lukas Visek (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and SUEZ Group and

5 Jul 2022 · Urban wastewater treatment (Zero Pollution)

Response to 2022 Strategic Foresight Report

17 Mar 2022

In this submission, Xylem outlines its views on the importance of digital and green twinning for Europe. We provide an overview of existing and innovative technologies, their impact on the water sector along with recommendations for EU policy-makers’ on regulatory and funding incentives that would support drive the necessary change. In a short, Xylem considers that digital transformation and technologies in the water sector will have major impact on energy efficiency/savings, reduction of chemical pollution and water losses along with better wastewater discharges and storm water runoff management. Solutions exist, innovations are ready to be scaled up and behaviors must change. EU policy-makers’ can support by creating regulatory and funding incentives to drive change, boost the adoption of innovations and shift behaviors. Some of these regulatory and funding incentives include: • Encourage water utilities to deploy digital twins, through regulation and financial incentives from EU or recovery funding, that will have major impact on efficiencies, pollution reduction, energy savings as well as resilience of the system in view of climate-related natural disasters. • Mandate smart water meters installation allowing consumers to understand their consumption and act accordingly. Encourage operators to coach citizens by giving a bonus or a malus to operators in charge of customer relations. • More broadly stimulate, through regulatory and funding incentives, digital twins of the natural and anthropogenic water cycle as one system bringing all available and innovative green and digital technologies together for maximum sustainability and efficiencies results. • Reduce water losses on distribution networks (20% loss) by putting incentive penalties on low performing operators, support with funding for relevant pipe renewals after a modern and innovative structural analysis of the pipes. • Provide for operational incentives through regulation, by setting targets that water utilities should meet while leaving the way those targets to be met to utilities and based on the national and regional circumstances. • Establishing a Water Sector Strategic Forum to support utilities/public sector on this green and digital twinning journey. The Forum should encompass all relevant stakeholders and serve to share best practices and exchange views to address any concerns with solutions. • Encourage the "reuse" of wastewater and rainwater for gardening, agriculture, and service waters. • Stimulate reasonable use of water in agriculture via the agricultural innovations already available (irrigation optimization).
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Response to Setting the Course for a Sustainable Blue Planet -Update of the International Ocean Governance Agenda

15 Feb 2022

Xylem welcomes EU’s International Ocean Governance Agenda and the progress made and would like to highlight three other important areas for the review of the Agenda. 1) Wastewater discharges, urban stormwater runoff and digital twins Coastal areas and oceans around the world are suffering from excess nutrients loads, typically associated with agricultural runoff. New research from UC Santa Barbara and Columbia University demonstrates that urban stormwater runoff, and wastewater (collection and treatment) contributes nearly half as much to nitrogen release to oceans as does agriculture and livestock. In 2017 in Europe, most countries collected and treated urban wastewater from at least 80% of their population. However, with extreme weather events, storm water overflows are becoming more frequent and public services are faced with difficult decisions on how to handle the additional water that cannot be absorbed by their hydraulic infrastructure, for collection and treatment. To help improve the health of Europe’s oceans and help public services with technology solutions that are cost-effective, Xylem, working with a global charitable foundation, has partnered with a number of European utilities to jointly assess the economic and environmental implications of digital twins in supporting the optimization of wastewater networks and treatment processes. Real-time decision support systems on wastewater treatment enable an optimization of wastewater treatment processes with machine learning and reduce the total nitrogen discharge by 50% and the energy consumption by up to 30% for 350 000 p.e. plant. This is obtained without the need for building new treatment infrastructure and allows to stay at low capital investment. There is a very wide spectrum of technologies – conventional and digital - available today to address the ocean health issue. Finally, we welcome the launch of the European Digital Twin of the Ocean and look forward to collaborating on this very important Initiative. 2) Ballast water treatment support vessels We would also like to emphasize the impact of ballast water release into the oceans for spreading invasive aquatic species. We welcome the adoption of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments. However, we would like to underline that ballast wastewater treatment support vessels provide higher environmental protection against illegal discharges. These vessels help discharge ballast water when ships are docked at a harbor and treat it with chemical-free solutions like UV technology and then discharge it into surface water. They provide very high environmental protection of oceans by treating ballast water with highly efficient log reduction on bacteria and viruses. Governments can set standards for ballast water treatment for such support vessels and control them, which is more difficult with on-board systems. Finally, strict enforcement of illegal discharges of untreated ballast water should be coupled with sufficiently high fines. 3) Aquaculture Demographic changes are driving an increased demand for protein, with aquaculture expected to play an important role in meeting this demand. Xylem strongly supports more sustainable practices in aquaculture by: • Diseases and biological challenges can partly be solved with strict biosecurity measures. By using closed containment (RAS land based or semi-closed cages in sea) with disinfection there is possibility to prevent the fish from acquiring and transmitting diseases. • Pollution comes from both fish waste from the growing stage (fish feed residue and fish feces), and from processing. Closed containment can capture fish waste, and wastewater treatment techniques can handle pollution from effluent discharge. • Fish welfare must be handled by monitoring water quality parameters, allowing good water quality for the fish, enough space and exercise for the fish, and good handling equipment.
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Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

18 Dec 2020

Please find attached feedback.
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Response to EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition for air, water and soil

26 Oct 2020

Xylem is grateful for the opportunity to provide feedback on the roadmap for a EU Action Plan “towards a zero pollution ambition for air water and soil”. As a leading technology and solutions provider which support the sustainability of Europe’s water resources, biodiversity, and public health, we welcome this timely initiative to address outstanding and emerging sources of pollution and contribute towards a sustainable post-COVID 19 economic recovery. Our key proposal is that the European Commission’s action plan capitalises on the opportunity presented by digital solutions (technologies, software and artificial intelligence) to reduce pollution levels. On this basis, Xylem would like to make the following recommendations for the Commission to consider during the development of the action plan. 1. Strengthen the water-health nexus via targeted amendments to existing environment legislation: The provision of clean and safe drinking water is essential for human health. The appropriate treatment of all types of wastewater, whether urban or industrial, before discharge is essential for protecting the environment and ensuring that the water cycle can support healthy populations in the long-term. Given emerging challenges in environmental pollution, such as those posed by contaminants of emerging concern, Xylem recommends that the Commission address these challenges in the review of existing legislations. For example, a revised Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and the Industrial Emissions Directive can set more stringent wastewater treatment requirements for a broader set of contaminants. In addition, we would like to stress that wastewater sector can play an important role in the early identification of pathogens, as recognised by initial research undertaken across Europe due to COVID-19. We hope that this is recognised in the action plan. 2. Ensure that digital solutions to monitor and control pollution at the heart of the action plan and mainstreamed across the relevant legislations: Xylem welcomes the Commission’s recognition the role of digital solutions in environmental pollution management. We would like to highlight the importance of policy measures to support the uptake of innovative monitoring technologies, including Internet of Things solutions and real-time decision support systems. Not only can these technologies support Member States and national regulatory authorities to better understand pollution levels, they can also deliver enhanced operational efficiency to businesses at a minor investment cost. 3. Direct finances to projects to support the action plan’s zero pollution ambition: The EU Multi-annual Financial Framework for the next budgetary period, in addition to the Recovery & Resilience Facility, should be directed towards projects which support the overall ambition towards zero pollution. Xylem hopes the Commission provides clarity on how EU financing mechanisms will do so in practice. Xylem hopes that the above comments can be useful in supporting the Commission’s work on the development of the Zero Pollution Action Plan. We remain available in case of any further questions or comments. Dr Alexis de Kerchove, PhD. Director for Vertical Markets, Europe Xylem Inc.
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Response to Revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive

8 Sept 2020

Xylem welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the roadmap for the revision of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). As a leading technology and solutions provider for the wastewater sector, Xylem actively contributed towards the REFIT evaluation of the UWWTD and, in light of the evaluation’s conclusions, welcomes the Commission’s decision to revise and update this long-established legislation. A revised Directive could drive more sustainable decision-making by WWTP operators, thereby improving environmental performance and building resilience to emerging challenges. Xylem’s key proposal is that the Commission should ensure that a revised directive should include policy measures that ensure the modernisation of Europe’s wastewater infrastructure. We would like to stress that this can be achieved by integrating digital solutions (software & digital technologies) into WWTP operations without replacing existing hardware and equipment – reducing high investment costs, while improving environmental and operational performance. On this basis, Xylem would like to make the following recommendations for the Commission to consider during the UWWTD review process. 1. Small agglomerations should be included within the scope of a revised UWWTD, ensuring access to sanitation 2. Monitoring obligations need to be updated to support deployment of innovative, digital solutions, which would also enable surveillance of pathogens in wastewater 3. Strengthened spatial planning requirements with a focus on smart infrastructure would allow for a holistic management of collection and treatment 4. EU-harmonised measures regarding stormwater overflows & urban run-off in a revised UWWTD would bring significant environmental benefits 5. Contaminants of Emerging Concern should incrementally be included within the scope of a revised UWWTD 6. Given the energy efficiency potential of UWWTPs, the Commission should consider measures to capitalise on this potential in the UWWTD to overall reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 7. A mixture of incentives and requirements could be considered to promote resource recovery & reuse in order to contribute towards the circular economy 8. Financing strategies for the European wastewater infrastructure need to be updated in light of the need to address existing wastewater pollution & emerging challenges faced by the sector Xylem hopes that the comments above can be useful in supporting the Commission’s work on the UWWTD review. We remain available in case of any further questions or comments.
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Meeting with Wioletta Dunin-Majewska (Cabinet of Commissioner Elisa Ferreira) and Kreab Worldwide

18 Jun 2020 · Cohesion Policy Investment and Water solutions

Response to A new Circular Economy Action Plan

20 Jan 2020

Xylem welcomes the commitment of the Commission to adopt a new Circular Economy Action Plan. As a leading technology and solutions provider across the water value chain, Xylem was pleased that the previous Action Plan from 2015 highlighted the growing problem of water stress and scarcity. Since then, the Commission has made important steps towards addressing the challenge, not least through new rules on minimum requirements for water reuse for agricultural irrigation. While progress has been made, Xylem believes there is room for further measures to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy for water as a resource, to the benefit of our environment and economy. On this basis, Xylem would like to make the following comments. Please see the attached document for further information. 1. Water should be a central issue in the new Circular Economy Action Plan 2. The Action Plan should aim to address the shortcomings of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. 3. The Commission should promote water reuse for applications outside the scope of the Water Reuse Regulation Xylem remains available to further answer questions or comments.
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Response to Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on minium requirements for water reuse

24 Jul 2018

Please find attached Xylem's position paper on the European Commission's proposal on minimum requirements for water reuse. Xylem welcomes the new Commission’s legislative proposal on the “Minimum Quality Requirements for Water Reuse in Agricultural Irrigation” in facilitating the transition towards a circular economy in the water sector. In particular, Xylem believes that the proposed introduction of a EU-wide regulation constitutes a step in the right direction to ensure that the uptake of water reuse across all EU Member States as a result of the legal certainty that such a regulation would bring. This legal certainty would not just be provided for reclamation plant operators, but also for wastewater treatment technology providers, agricultural producers, and consumers. Xylem believes that it is important that the proposed regulatory framework remains cost-effective and proportionate, while at the same time as providing the appropriate safeguards to human health and the environment. In particular, it is important to secure the provisions of a higher volume of ‘fit-for-purpose’ reused waste water at bearable cost for wastewater treatment plants and at a bearable cost for famers and agricultural water managers. If not cost-effective, there is a potential risk that the costs associated with water reuse would outweigh its benefits.
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