What is water use?
Water use refers to the use of water for various purposes, such as households, industry, agriculture and energy production. Water is a vital natural resource that is used in many different ways for the needs of people and the environment. In this article, we look at the different areas of water use and their importance.
Household water use
In households, water is used for many daily activities, such as drinking, cooking, washing and cleaning. On average, a Finn consumes around 140 liters of water per day. The largest objects of water consumption in households are:
- Washing and using the bathroom
- Dishwashing and laundry
- Cooking and drinking water
- Cleaning and gardening
Industrial water use
Industry is a significant user of water, and water is needed in many production processes. For example, the paper and pulp industry, the chemical industry and the metal industry use large amounts of water. Industrial water use can be divided into the following categories:
- Process water: used in different stages of production processes
- Cooling water: used to cool equipment and processes
- Washing water: used to clean equipment and facilities
Agricultural water use
Agriculture is one of the biggest users of water worldwide. Water is needed for watering plants, drinking water for animals and cleaning agricultural machinery and premises. Agricultural water use can be divided into the following areas:
- Irrigation: to improve plant growth and yield
- Drinking water for animals: for the needs of livestock and other animals
- Cleaning of premises and equipment: to maintain hygiene
Water use for energy production
In energy production, water is used especially for the cooling of power plants and the operation of steam turbines. For example, nuclear power plants and coal-fired power plants need large amounts of water for cooling. Water use for energy production can be divided into the following categories:
- Cooling water: used for cooling power plants
- Process water: used to operate steam turbines and other processes
Water management and sustainable development goals
Managing water use is important to ensure water sufficiency for future generations and the well-being of the environment. The principles of sustainable water use include water conservation, recycling and pollution prevention. For example, water can be saved in households by using water-saving devices and by reducing unnecessary water consumption. In industry and agriculture, more efficient water use methods can be introduced and water can be recycled.
Additional information about water use and its management can be found in the following sources:
Ympäristö.fi – Vedenkyytto
VVY – Water use
