Water consumption

Water consumption is the portion of withdrawn water that is not returned to its source, often because it evaporates, is incorporated into products, or otherwise becomes unavailable there.

Water withdrawal: Water withdrawal is the removal of water from surface water or groundwater for use. Consumption is calculated from withdrawals after subtracting water returned to the source.
Irrigation: Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land or soil to support plant growth. Crop evapotranspiration accounts for much of the water consumed in irrigated agriculture.
Water use: Water use is the application of water to a purpose, whether or not the water is later returned. Use can include both consumed water and water returned to its source.
Environmental flow: Environmental flows are the quantity, timing, and quality of water needed to sustain freshwater ecosystems and human livelihoods. Consumption reduces the water available to maintain flows downstream.
Water return flow: Water return flow is water discharged back to surface water or groundwater after use. Returned water is excluded from the portion counted as consumed.
Thermoelectric power: Thermoelectric power generation produces electricity from heat, commonly using water for cooling. Cooling systems differ sharply in how much withdrawn water they consume or return.
Water footprint assessment: Water footprint assessment quantifies freshwater use and related impacts across products, processes, or organizations. It evaluates broader supply-chain use, rather than only basin-level depletion.
Groundwater depletion: Groundwater depletion is the decline of stored groundwater caused when extraction exceeds replenishment over time. Consumptive pumping can permanently reduce aquifer storage when recharge is insufficient.
Evapotranspiration: Evapotranspiration is the combined transfer of water to the atmosphere through evaporation and plant transpiration. It is a major pathway by which water leaves a source basin after use.
Virtual water: Virtual water is the water used to produce a commodity, considered as embedded in its trade. Trade shifts the location where a product’s consumptive water use occurs.

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