Published: Mar 13, 2012
- Europe needs to redouble efforts in using
water more efficiently to avoid undermining
its economy, according to a new report from
the European Environment Agency (EEA). Inefficient
water use impacts hard on the resources
needed by ecosystems and people, both vital
assets for European productivity and security.
Agriculture, energy
production, industry, public water supply
and ecosystems are all important, and all
competing for this limited resource. With
climate change making water supply less
predictable, it is extremely important that
Europe uses water more efficiently for the
benefit of all its users.
The report 'Towards
Efficient use of water resources in Europe'
from the European Environment Agency (EEA)
makes the case for an integrated water management,
starting with better implementation of existing
legislation.
"Water resources are under pressure
in many parts of Europe, and it is getting
worse," EEA Executive Director Jacqueline
McGlade said.
"Agriculture, energy production, industry,
public water supply and ecosystems are all
important, and all competing for this limited
resource. With climate change making water
supply less predictable, it is extremely
important that Europe uses water more efficiently
for the benefit of all its users. Water
resources should be managed as effectively
as any other natural asset owned by countries."
Water shortages have severe consequences
for economies reliant on agriculture and
industry. Some shortages have even led to
drinking water restrictions in parts of
Europe. There are also indirect effects
on the economy, as reduced river flows,
falling lake and groundwater levels, and
disappearing wetlands can have destructive
effects on the natural systems underpinning
economic productivity.
Increasingly, there is intense competition
for water resources in some parts of Europe.
Across the European Union, agriculture uses
about a quarter of water diverted from the
natural environment, though this can be
up to 80% in southern Europe. In addition,
public water supply accounts for approximately
a fifth of water use across Europe – and
over a quarter of this is used just to flush
the toilet. Hydropower installations also
change the natural structure and flow of
rivers and lakes, with consequences for
ecosystems.
Agriculture is one sector where easy efficiency
gains are possible, because a lot of water
is used inefficiently to irrigate crops.
Some estimates calculate that approximately
a quarter of water abstracted for irrigation
in Europe could be saved, just by changing
the type of pipe or channel used. Public
water supply can be made more effective
- as much as 50% of drinking water is lost
in some EU Member States.
Inefficient use of water also leads to higher
energy use, with extra financial and environmental
costs, according to the report. While the
energy needed to pump and treat freshwater
into drinking water is typically around
0.6 kWh/m3, desalination of seawater adds
approximately 4 kWh/m3. Several European
countries use desalination technology, most
notably Spain, which is among the highest
users of desalination globally.
Authorities should set clear environmental
targets for water use, within the limit
of what is sustainable, according to the
report. Such targets would differ depending
on the available resources, but should be
designed so that the natural environment
has sufficient water to function. A form
of 'decoupling' is needed so that increasing
economic productivity does not entail increasing
water use and increasing environmental impacts.
Historically, water prices in Europe have
rarely reflected the true financial cost
of supplying water, nor the economic costs
to the environment. This has led to pollution
and water scarcity, imposing costs on the
environment and society. For example, the
general public typically has to pay for
the cost of treating drinking water contaminated
by agriculture or industry. Putting the
right price on water can incentivise more
efficient use of water and technological
innovation. Effective use of taxes, subsidies,
market mechanisms, pricing schemes and other
economic instruments can also help balance
conflicting demands on water.
Later this year, the 'Blueprint to safeguard
Europe's waters' published by the European
Commission will map the way forward in this
area. Throughout 2012 the EEA will release
a series of reports on related water issues,
exploring a variety of challenges and opportunities.
