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Water use in Europe — Quantity and quality face big challenges

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Article Published 30 Aug 2018 Last modified 29 Aug 2023

8 min read

Photo: © Artur Preciuk, WaterPIX / EEA

Europeans use billions of cubic metres of water every year not only for drinking water, but also for use in farming, manufacturing, heating and cooling, tourism and other service sectors. With thousands of freshwater lakes, rivers and underground water sources available, the supply of water in Europe may seem limitless. But population growth, urbanisation, pollution and the effects of climate change, such as persistent droughts, are putting a huge strain on Europe’s water supplies and on its quality.