reater metering coverage. There are, however, marked differences in approach across the EU. While more countries have introduced volume-based charges, in southern countries social concerns and equity are important and SO systems such as block tariffs are more prevalent. In the industrial sector 75% of water used is not drawn from the public system and even where it is little information is available on price levels (Roth, 2001) but it would appear that cost recovery is below that for domestic supply. With respect to agriculture there is a marked divergence in tariffs between Northern and Southern Europe. In the south, equity considerations predominate; in the north, water use is almost always charged by volume used. A common feature that emerges is that the water infrastructure systems built since the 19th century have been provided by the state (national, regional or local) as these could not have been financed privately. As a result of this public investment, the degree of access to water services and the level of coverage achieved has been very high. Over the past 20 years the main driver behind water services has not been the need to extend the services provided. Rather, at present the need for capital-intensive investment in water infrastructure arises from the need to meet new standards and requirements or from new developments. Apart from this, all water service providers in Europe are facing similar problems. Modernisation of the existing systems is overdue; INFRASTRUCTURE TO 2030: TELECOM, LAND TRANSPORT, WATER AND ELECTRICITY - ISBN 92-64-02398-4 © OECD 2006 5. THE IMPACTS OF CHANGE ON THE LONG-TERM FUTURE DEMAND FOR WATER SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE they are ageing and deteriorating, and in doing SO are creating problems with respect to both water quantity and quality of supply. Apart from the key issue of maintenance associated with deterioration of assets, the other overarching factor influencing the water sector activities are EU directives and particularly the Water Framework and associated directives. M