The most obvious are found in the increased maintenance and repair work expected to take place on the water line systems. Although such work is ongoing, there is a recognized backlog of investments in the vast pipe system. This backlog is expected to materialize soon in the form of additional projects. A major component of such projects are unavoidably found in local contract work, but export opportunities exist in supplying the necessary materials. Such opportunities, however, will be most tangible for suppliers of new or different technologies, especially as these apply to reducing the manual work involved.
Labor costs are high in Denmark.
The other area of opportunity lies in the need for adequate water supply strategy plans. As early as in 1978, all municipalities were instructed by the national Government to establish and maintain such plans. Today, more than 20 years later, no less than 65 of Denmark's 275 municipalities are completely without a strategic plan for management water resources. Many others have plans that are 15-20 years old and no longer valid. The major obstacle to pursuing these opportunities is the very decentralized structure of the industry.