Water and wastewater in Czechia

Czechia’s water and wastewater management has improved significantly over the last three decades. About 95% of the Czech population is connected to main water lines and 86% to the sewerage system. However, the infrastructure is aging and needs to be replaced or upgraded to comply with more stringent EU regulations and to meet the demand of new housing developments.

Due to the privatization of the water supply industry in the 1990s, the market is highly fragmented with small municipalities representing a large proportion of operators. In the large urban centres of Prague, Brno and Ostrava, French companies Veolia and SUEZ are the sole operators in partnership with city authorities. 

Wastewater management accounted for 40% (about $719 million) of investments in environmental protection in Czechia in 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Ministry of Transport provide financial support in this sector, including for R&D. Funding for specific projects is also extended by the European Investment Bank.

Industry highlights

50

of the largest operators supply water to 90% of the population. 

583 million m³

of drinking water produced in 2023.  

2,915

Water and wastewater treatment facilities in 2022.

455 million m³

of wastewater discharged into sewerage system in 2023. 

Key opportunities for Canadian companies in Czechia

  • Smart meters, IoT sensors, advanced leak detection tools, and digitization/automation solutions for the entire water management cycle

  • Cybersecurity for control systems and smart security solutions for physical infrastructures 

  • Energy efficiency or recovery technologies for water and wastewater treatment  

Notable challenges in Czechia

  • Delays in obtaining permits for new constructions

  • Access to highly skilled technical workers

Czech business landscape 

Czechia is a medium-sized, open economy with a strong industrial base and thriving technology sector. Due to its geographic location at the centre of Europe, highly skilled workforce, and stable business environment, Czechia is a regional hub for many foreign companies. Czechs enjoy a relatively strong purchasing power with GDP per capita having increased to 91% of the EU average since the country joined the union in 2004. Czechia has not yet adopted the Euro as its currency. English is widely spoken in the business community, particularly in Prague and Brno. 

For more information on water and wastewater and the Czech market please contact martina.taxova@international.gc.ca

 

Additional Information

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