| Title: |
EU Water saving potential
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| Resource Type: |
document --> technical publication --> report
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| Country: |
European Union
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| Year: |
2007 |
| Availability: |
Final Report Part 1 –Report ENV.D.2/ETU/2007/0001r
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| Author 1/Producer: |
European Commission
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| Other Authors/Producers: |
Institute for International and European Environmental Policy, ACTeon National Technical University, of Athens (NTUA) Universidad de Córdoba
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| Author / Producer Type: |
Agency, regulator or other governmental or inter-governmental body
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EUGRIS Keyword(s): |
Water and sanitation-->Water and sanitation Overview
Water and sanitation-->Water supply
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| Short description: |
*Total water abstraction in the European Union (EU-27) has been estimated at 247,000 million m3/year. The sector that uses the most water is
energy production, which represents 44% of the total water abstraction in Europe. This sector is followed by agriculture (24%), public water supply
(17%) and industry 15%).
*In the public water supply sector (including households, the public sector and small business), water savings of up to 50% could be achieved by
reducing leakage in water supply networks, introducing water saving devices and using more efficient household appliances.
*As regards agriculture, important water savings could be achieved with improvements in irrigation infrastructure and technologies. For example,
improving the conveyance efficiency of irrigation systems could result in savings of 10% to 25%, improving application efficiency in water savings of
15% to 60%, 30% from changes in irrigation practices, up to 50% by using drought-resistant crops, and about 10% from the reuse of treated sewage
effluent. The potential water savings from irrigation could amount to up to 43% of the current volume abstracted for agriculture.
*In industry, the introduction of technical measures such as changes in processes leading to less water demand, higher recycling rates or the use of
rainwater, could lead to savings of between 15% and 90% with a global estimate of 43% of today's water abstraction.
*The tourism sector can be a key user of water in certain areas of Europe. This sector has the potential to reduce its consumption by a maximum of
80%-90% though the application of technical measures such as the installation of newer appliances in guest rooms, cafe areas, kitchens, etc.
Overall, the results show significant possibilities for water savings by avoiding overexploitation, non-conventional water production and promoting
integrated water saving measures. The conclusions of this study offer practical tools for the development of a European strategy for water savings.
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Link to Organisation(s):
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EC European Commission
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Submitted By:
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Professor Paul Bardos WhoDoesWhat?
Last update: 13/10/2007
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