Environment and society
Water use

Fresh water abstraction by country 2002

Definitions/Comments: Freshwater abstraction (surface and groundwater). Freshwater is mainly used for public water supplies, irrigation, industrial processes and cooling of electric power plants. Definitions and estimation methods employed may vary considerably between countries. Switzerland: values from 2002, USA: values from 2000. Switzerland and Germany : abstraction for agricultural use excluded.

Source: OECD Environmental Data Compendium.

Data for the indicator or in excel.

Description and explanation in the corresponding chapter of the Social Report 2008.