about

About us

Aqua Publica Europea (APE) is the European Association of Public Water Operators. It unites publicly owned water and sanitation services and other stakeholders working to promote public water management at both European and international level. APE is an operator-led association that looks for efficient solutions that serve public interests rather than corporate ones.

Our values

Water is the source of life and must be managed responsibly.

As non-profit organisations, the members of Aqua Publica Europea are committed to providing a high-quality service managed in an efficient, accountable, and sustainable way.

Our common vision is laid down in the association’s Founding Charter, and is based on four main principles :

  • Water must be managed in a socially responsible way to ensure everyone has a fair share, and to secure its conservation for the benefit of future generations.
  • The management of water as an essential resource belongs in the public domain. Water management must be organised and supervised by the public authority under the responsibility of elected representatives at all local levels.
  • All revenues obtained need to be reinvested in the water cycle. Public authorities must have the power to establish public water operators responsible for managing water services; these public operators must operate under the principles of efficiency and accountability.
  • Public-public cooperation as a tool for capacity building must be supported by public institutions and international donors.

Our priorities

Right to water and sustainable financing

Water is a common good, and access to it is a fundamental human right. Water needs to be managed in a socially responsible way to ensure everyone has a fair share, and to secure its conservation for the benefit of future generations.

Aqua Publica Europea works to help its members realise the right to water, and reconcile it with environmental and financial sustainability. 

Right to water and sustainable financing

Transparent and accountable water services

The management of water as an essential resource belongs to the public domain. Water management must be organised and supervised by public authorities and be based on a multi-stakeholder approach.

Aqua Publica Europea works to promote transparent and accountable water services, that allow for the participation of all relevant stakeholders, from civil society to other economic sectors.

Transparent and Accountable water services

Water security and quality

Water is the source of all life. The availability of sustainable and wholesome water supplies to serve domestic, industrial and agricultural needs must be guaranteed. Water resources must be protected for the benefit of present and future generations.

Aqua Publica Europea works to promote cost-effective and long-term solutions that preserve the natural balance of the environment and are socially responsible.

Water security and quality

Governance

General Assembly

The General Assembly is the main decision-making body of APE and is
composed of all members of APE. It is convened at least once a year.

About us_governance

Management Board

The Management Board represents the association at all institutional levels and is
responsible for steering the work of the association.

Bernard Van Nuffel

President
VIVAQUA

Alessandro di Martino

AMAP

Francesco Mascolo

MM

Secretariat

The Secretariat is based in Brussels. It is in charge of running the day-to-day activities
of the association and for the implementation of its strategy.

Milo Fiasconaro

Executive Director

Marine Boulard

Policy Analyst

Jean-Yves Stenuick

Policy Coordinator

Liliana Baracova

Project and Communication Officer