These charts show estimated annual world water withdrawals by use. Clearly we would like to withdraw additional water but there is a developing restriction on availability. Note that loss by evaporation from artificial reservoirs now is same size as municipal use. Such water loss by evaporation will be exacerbated by climate change. One has the impression Agriculture and Public withdrawals beginning to come under limited control but that Evaporation and Industrial withdrawals are less controlled.
NOTES:
1. Some people prefer to discount evaporation since it is an unintended consequence rather than an intended use. Also the data are more suspect since obviously this loss is not metered.
2. Public use of waters sometimes is referred to as Municipal Use or as Domestic Use.
3. Some people prefer to divide Agricultural Use into several pieces, often Irrigation, Livestock watering and Aquaculture.
4. Similarly some divide Industrial Use into Manufacturing, Thermal Power Generation and Mining.
2017 update: Every use more thirsty for water than even a year ago!
2018 Update: Ditto -- all estimates & forecasts increased.
NOTES:
1. Some people prefer to discount evaporation since it is an unintended consequence rather than an intended use. Also the data are more suspect since obviously this loss is not metered.
2. Public use of waters sometimes is referred to as Municipal Use or as Domestic Use.
3. Some people prefer to divide Agricultural Use into several pieces, often Irrigation, Livestock watering and Aquaculture.
4. Similarly some divide Industrial Use into Manufacturing, Thermal Power Generation and Mining.
2017 update: Every use more thirsty for water than even a year ago!
2018 Update: Ditto -- all estimates & forecasts increased.