Romania tops EU list for households lacking running water

A European Parliament report shows that 47% of Romania’s population does not have access to piped drinking water, placing the country at the top of the EU map of water deprivation, ahead of Cyprus. The lack of service is especially concentrated in the north‑east, where counties such as Botoșani, Vaslui, Neamț, Bacău, Iași and Suceava have the highest share of homes without water.

Eurostat and European Environment Agency data indicate that across the EU only 5.8% of fresh water resources are used, but many southern and eastern members exceed the 20% alert threshold in summer. Romania’s water exploitation reaches 34% during the hot months, while Cyprus and Malta record 72% and 33% annually, respectively. Climate‑driven droughts are expected to intensify the shortfall, prompting EU‑wide discussions on rationing and investment in water infrastructure.

The report links water scarcity to broader social stability, noting that inadequate access can fuel inequality, migration pressures and potential conflicts. EU funds for water and sanitation projects, such as the Sustainable Development and Just Transition Programme and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, are being deployed to upgrade networks, but progress remains uneven.