7.2 The State of Freshwaters in the European Union: A Snapshot
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7.2.1 Water Availability and Water Use
The European continent is generally considered a water abundant region, with
3200 m
3 of water available annually for every European citizen (Rieu-Clarke 2009).
However, as any other average figure of its kind, this number hides large differences
between regions, basins and users. How much water is actually available in the EU’s
various regions is defined by the combined effect of basin precipitation, river flow
and storage.
Precipitation varies widely in the EU, ranging from less than 400 mm/year in
parts of the Mediterranean region and the central plains of Europe to more than
1 000 mm/year along the Atlantic shores from Spain to Norway, the Alps and their
eastern extension. Precipitation in Europe has generally increased during the 20th
century, rising by 6–8% on average between 1901 and 2005. During the same period,
however, some areas—notably the Mediterranean and eastern Europe—have witnessed a loss of rain and snowfall (EEA 2009).
Variations in river flow—i.e. the quantity of freshwater resources within a basin—are determined mainly by precipitation and temperature, as well as by catchment
characteristics such as geology, soils and land cover. Average river flow across Europe
is about 450 mm/year but this varies significantly, ranging from less than 50 mm/year
in southern Spain to more than 1500 mm/year in parts of the Atlantic coast and the
Alps. Annual flows have risen in the northern parts of Europe, with increases mainly
in winter, but have shown a decreasing trend in the southern regions of Europe. In
most parts of the EU river basins have been subject to significant human alterations
with a lasting impact on flows. The natural water storage or retention capacity of the
various regions of the EU is changing considerably too. E.g. the Alps, that singlehandedly provides 40% of Europe’s fresh surface waters, have experienced temperature
increases twice the global average (1.48 °C) in the last hundred years. Glaciers are
melting, the snowline is rising and the mountain range is gradually changing the
way it collects and stores water in winter and distributes it in the summer months
(EEA 2009).
The largest share—44%—of the water abstracted in the EU is used for energy
production and is mostly returned to the original water body. The second biggest
water user sector is agriculture responsible for 24% of the water (here, the water
is mostly consumed). 21% is utilised for public water supply and 11% by industry.
Naturally, these general figures obscure gross geographical disparities. In central and
western Europe energy production is the largest user of water (over 50%), followed
by public water supply and industry. In southern Europe, however, agriculture is by
far the biggest consumer, responsible for over 60% of all abstractions. The EU’s
main source of water is surface water, accounting for 80% of the total amount used.
Energy production relies on surface water almost exclusively. More than 75% of the
water used in industry and agriculture comes from surface sources too. On the other
hand, groundwater remains the predominant source of public water supply (55%)
(EEA 2009).
73
7.2.1 Water Availability and Water Use
The European continent is generally considered a water abundant region, with
3200 m
3 of water available annually for every European citizen (Rieu-Clarke 2009).
However, as any other average figure of its kind, this number hides large differences
between regions, basins and users. How much water is actually available in the EU’s
various regions is defined by the combined effect of basin precipitation, river flow
and storage.
Precipitation varies widely in the EU, ranging from less than 400 mm/year in
parts of the Mediterranean region and the central plains of Europe to more than
1 000 mm/year along the Atlantic shores from Spain to Norway, the Alps and their
eastern extension. Precipitation in Europe has generally increased during the 20th
century, rising by 6–8% on average between 1901 and 2005. During the same period,
however, some areas—notably the Mediterranean and eastern Europe—have witnessed a loss of rain and snowfall (EEA 2009).
Variations in river flow—i.e. the quantity of freshwater resources within a basin—are determined mainly by precipitation and temperature, as well as by catchment
characteristics such as geology, soils and land cover. Average river flow across Europe
is about 450 mm/year but this varies significantly, ranging from less than 50 mm/year
in southern Spain to more than 1500 mm/year in parts of the Atlantic coast and the
Alps. Annual flows have risen in the northern parts of Europe, with increases mainly
in winter, but have shown a decreasing trend in the southern regions of Europe. In
most parts of the EU river basins have been subject to significant human alterations
with a lasting impact on flows. The natural water storage or retention capacity of the
various regions of the EU is changing considerably too. E.g. the Alps, that singlehandedly provides 40% of Europe’s fresh surface waters, have experienced temperature
increases twice the global average (1.48 °C) in the last hundred years. Glaciers are
melting, the snowline is rising and the mountain range is gradually changing the
way it collects and stores water in winter and distributes it in the summer months
(EEA 2009).
The largest share—44%—of the water abstracted in the EU is used for energy
production and is mostly returned to the original water body. The second biggest
water user sector is agriculture responsible for 24% of the water (here, the water
is mostly consumed). 21% is utilised for public water supply and 11% by industry.
Naturally, these general figures obscure gross geographical disparities. In central and
western Europe energy production is the largest user of water (over 50%), followed
by public water supply and industry. In southern Europe, however, agriculture is by
far the biggest consumer, responsible for over 60% of all abstractions. The EU’s
main source of water is surface water, accounting for 80% of the total amount used.
Energy production relies on surface water almost exclusively. More than 75% of the
water used in industry and agriculture comes from surface sources too. On the other
hand, groundwater remains the predominant source of public water supply (55%)
(EEA 2009).