The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €200 million loan agreement with Dutch water company Evides Waterbedrijf to support the provision of safe and high-quality drinking water to over 2.5 million residents across the provinces of Zuid-Holland, Zeeland, and the western part of Noord-Brabant, as well as to supply industrial water. The financing, supported under the European Commission’s InvestEU programme, aims to enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of Evides’ distribution network and prepare its infrastructure to meet future water demands.
Evides’ 2025–2028 investment programme focuses on upgrading and extending surface and groundwater production facilities, storage reservoirs, pumping stations, water transport mains, and distribution networks. Key projects include the construction of a new drinking water treatment plant in central Zeeland and the expansion and modernization of facilities supplying processed water for industrial purposes. The initiative will also add new pumping and purification stations and install 70 kilometres of new distribution pipes, improving water efficiency, reducing leakages, and increasing resilience to droughts.
EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot highlighted that the financing supports Evides in addressing challenges from climate change and rising water use, while ensuring continued high-quality water supply. Interim CEO Edgar Ruijgers emphasized that the EIB loan enables Evides to implement its sustainable investment programme, maintaining its reliability as a drinking water and industrial water supplier.
The EIB, the European Union’s long-term lending institution, has provided more than €27 billion in financing for Dutch projects over the past decade, including sectors such as research and development, sustainable mobility, healthcare, and SMEs. The InvestEU programme leverages public and private funds to support sustainable recovery and EU policy priorities, including the European Green Deal and digital transition, mobilizing at least €372 billion in additional investment.
Evides Waterbedrijf, the Netherlands’ second-largest water company by supply connections, volumes, and revenue, sources its drinking water primarily from the river Maas (80%), with 16% from groundwater and 4% from dune water. The company serves a wide population while maintaining high standards for reliability and water quality.
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