PRESS RELEASE
World Water Day 2026:
Safe water needs regulated water technicians – and a new generation of professionals
Brussels, 22 March 2026
On the occasion of World Water Day, GCP Europe — representing water and HVAC technicians and mechanical contractors — highlights the essential role water technicians play in protecting public health, safe drinking water and hygienic buildings.
Access to clean drinking water is one of the foundations of modern societies. However, the quality of drinking water does not depend only on treatment plants and public networks. It also depends on how water systems are installed, maintained and operated inside buildings.
Water technicians therefore play a crucial role as guardians of drinking water safety, public health — and increasingly, societal security.
1. Safe drinking water requires qualified water technicians
Improperly designed or installed water systems can lead to serious health risks, including contamination, bacterial growth, or temperature-related hygiene problems.
Ensuring that installations are carried out by qualified water technicians is therefore essential to protect drinking water quality and public health.
In today’s geopolitical context, this is also a matter of security.
Potable water systems are part of critical infrastructure, and poorly designed or inadequately maintained installations can expose buildings and communities to contamination risks, system failures or malicious interference.
Having properly trained and certified water technicians is therefore essential not only for health, but also for resilience and protection of critical infrastructure.
For these reasons, GCP Europe stresses that water-related professions should be recognised and regulated worldwide, similar to other safety-critical professions such as electricians.
Professional regulation helps ensure:
- high standards of training and certification
- safe and hygienic drinking water systems
- consumer protection and trust
- fair competition between qualified professionals
- resilience and security of critical water infrastructure
Key message:
Water technician professions must become regulated worldwide to guarantee safe drinking water, protect public health, and safeguard critical infrastructure.
2. A vital profession that deserves greater recognition
At the same time, Europe and many other regions are facing a growing shortage of skilled water technicians.
Yet this profession is highly valuable and future-proof, combining technical expertise, environmental responsibility, public service — and now increasingly, security relevance.
Water technicians contribute directly to:
- safe drinking water systems
- energy-efficient buildings
- sustainable water management
- climate and environmental objectives
- resilience of critical infrastructure
Moreover, the profession offers:
- stable and well-paid employment
- strong entrepreneurial opportunities
- practical and technological skills
- resilience to automation and artificial intelligence
Key message:
Greater awareness must be raised about the strategic importance and advantages of the water technician profession to attract the next generation of skilled workers.
Statement
“Safe drinking water cannot be taken for granted. It depends on the expertise of qualified water technicians who design, install and maintain the systems inside our buildings every day,” says GCP Europe Vice President and Chair of the Plumbing & Water Quality Task Force, Michael Mattes.
“In today’s world, this is not only a matter of public health, but also of security. Drinking water systems are part of our critical infrastructure. To protect them, water technician professions must be recognised and regulated worldwide. At the same time, we must do much more to promote this essential, future-proof and security-relevant career to the next generation.”