Water

In 2001, the South West consumed an estimated 2,975,939 megalitres (Ml) of water. Households consumed 60% of public supplies. Of the remaining public water supply, the agricultural sector consumed 28%, with industry consuming 24% and leisure and tourism 18%. It was also estimated that 20% of water supplied is lost through leakage.

For more detail on water consumption, see the Resource Flow Report.

Figure 18 illustrates a breakdown of water consumed by non-household users in the South West in 2001.

Figure 18
Breakdown of water consumed by non-household users in the South West, in 2001

Sources: Barton, 2004; Berry, 2004; Bristol Water, 2002; DWI, 2002; Green, 2004; Jones, 2004; Marsh, 2004; OFWAT, 2001; Pennon Group, 2002; South West Water, 2004; Turner, 2004; Water UK, 2003; Wessex Water, 2004, 2004a & 2004b and Wickens, 2004

Over 2.6 million megalitres of water was consumed from private sources, such as dams, 97% sourced from surface water. Electricity production (61%) and fish farming (37%) used almost all the private water (see Table 6).

Water ecological footprint

The water ecological footprint for a resident in the South West, in 2001, was 0.01 gha, and accounted for less than 1% of the total ecological footprint.

The water ecological footprint takes into account the energy required to collect, treat and supply the water used by residents in the South West. 45% of the footprint is associated with wastewater treatment, and 55% with the energy used to supply the water.

For more detail on the water footprint, see the Ecological Footprint Report.