2. Water uses

Water uses can be divided into four main areas:

• domestic: production of water for human consumption in households, offices, administrations, shops, hospitals, etc. ;

• industrial: production of manufactured products ;

• energy production: power plant cooling ;

• agriculture: land irrigation for food production, livestock feed and aquaculture.

Table 6 shows the percentage of water withdrawn on the various continents. In Africa and Asia, irrigation uses more than 80% of the water withdrawn, while in Europe only 1/3. In Europe, on the other hand, more than half the water used is for industrial activities, with the energy sector being a major user for the...