Water use companies and private households; national accounts

This table contains data from the water accounts, which is part of the Environmental Accounts that the CBS compiles annually. These water bills include the (physical) use of water by the Dutch economy. This distinguishes between the use of tap water, use and abstraction of groundwater and surface water. Use is allocated to industries and households. Optionally, tables can be produced showing the extent of use by economic activity (including households), by type of water and per year. The values are expressed in millions of cubic meters (mln m³). In the case of tap water, a distinction is made between tap water of drinking water and industrial water. Industriewater is tap water with a lower quality than drinking water, or sometimes with a higher quality, such as demineralised water. This industrial water is mainly used by industry (basic chemicals, metals and refineries) and electricity producers. In groundwater, a distinction is made between groundwater use for cooling and other uses. In addition, surface water distinguishes between fresh and salt surface water. For compiling the figures, data from various sources are used and aligned, more information below in chapter 4. Because the data in the environmental accounts are directly in line with the economic data in the national accounts, it is possible to provide a numerical picture of the economic activities of the Netherlands and the use of water from the natural environment. Environmental indicators can be drawn up using the water accounts. For example, the use intensity of the different types of water can be determined for the Netherlands as a whole or by industry. Data available from: 2003. Status of the figures: The figures for the years in the time series have a definitive status and the last three years are provisional. The whole series from 2003 shall be updated annually, if necessary, to the updated source information. Changes as of 22 March 2022: There has been an update of the figures. Changes as of 1 October 2021: Two improvements have been made. Total tap water and drinking water were adapted for private households and economic activities in 2017-2019. Groundwater use for cooling has also been converted from dots to values at SBI E and the corresponding total groundwater has been adjusted in 2017-2019. Amendments as of 18 June 2021: For the entire time series, 2003-2019, surface water use is split by fresh and salt surface water. In addition, the use of industrial water has been added. Also, the display of the SBI codes has been modified, the SBI codes are now displayed at the level of two digits. When will there be new figures? New figures are published annually in March/April, usually at the same time as several other indicators from the Environmental Accounts are published. The next publication is in March/April 2023.