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Water scarcity arises when the demand for water exceeds the volume of renewable freshwater available. It affected 16 % of the EU-27 territory and 26 % of its population nearly all year round in 2019. Although water abstraction declined by 15 % in the EU-27 between 2000-2019, no explicit downward trend is observed in water scarcity conditions. Water scarcity is an issue affecting areas all across the EU. Climate change exacerbates the natural fluctuations in seasonal water availability, resulting in increased frequency, intensity and impacts of drought events.
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Austrian comments (Helga Lindinger)
Water scarcity (WEI>0?) arises....
Although water abstraction (water abstractions for irrigation are the essential ones, as these are not returned to the environment, they are consumed) declined by 15 % in the EU-27 between 2000-2019, no explicit downward trend is observed in water scarcity conditions.
It should be checked, whether declining resources (more evaporation in warmer years) or changed seasonal patterns of water availability are the reasons for remaining water scarcity.
Thank you for your recommendation. The underlying data show mixed trends on renewable water resources in Europe. The impacts of climate change on water resources can be observed particularly on increasing magnitude of hydro-climatic extremes. Indeed, in many water scarce areas of southern Europe, renewable water resources decreased further, despite water saving and efficiency efforts. In northestern areas, renewable water resources increased. The water scarcity phenomenon appears for complex reasons, which is a result of natural and anthropogenic conditions. Additionally, please note that water abstraction decreased by 15% overall (EU average), which may mask different trends in abstraction at the local level. Furthermore, we should take into account that over-exploited aquifers may need substantial amount of time to recover.
As the report is focused on WEI+ it should probably be preferable to use the term "consumed water by human activities" instead of "demand for water" which represents something different.
Thank you for the comment, we will revise respective text accordingly
Italy:
We suggest replacing the statement "Water scarcity arises when the demand for water exceeds the volume of renewable freshwater available" with the one reported in the EU communication on Water Scarsity and Drought: "water scarcity means that water demand exceeds the water resources exploitable under sustainable conditions".
Thank you for the comment. Overall, we agree with the suggested revision in the statement on the water scarcity. However, quantifying the volume of exploitable water itself is a conceptual challenge. Nevertheless, we will explore how to frame that expression to better reflect the intention.