Le volume d’eau douce prélevé chaque année en France métropolitaine est estimé à plus de 30 milliards de m3. La moitié est destinée au refroidissement des centrales électriques, qui en restituent la quasi-totalité au milieu naturel. C’est aussi le cas des prélèvements pour maintenir la navigabilité ou la circulation de l’eau dans les canaux. Les prélèvements pour l’eau potable, l’agriculture et les autres usages, principalement industriels, représentent 11 milliards de m3 en 2013. Cette publication offre un panorama des prélèvements d’eau douce en France : répartition géographique, par grands usages et milieux d’origine (eaux souterraines ou de surface). Elle examine aussi l’évolution des prélèvements au cours des 20 dernières années.
Freshwater abstraction in France: main uses in 2013 and their evolution over 20 years
The volume of freshwater abstracted each year in France is estimated to be over 30 billion cubic metres (m3). Half of this is used for cooling in power stations, and almost all of it is returned to the natural environment. This is also the case for abstractions to maintain navigability and water flow on canals. Abstractions for drinking water, agriculture and other uses, mainly industrial, accounted for 11 billion m3 in 2013. This publication provides an overview of freshwater abstraction in France: geographical distribution, main uses and origin (groundwater or surface). It also examines the evolution of abstractions over the past 20 years.
The volume of freshwater abstracted each year in France is estimated to be over 30 billion cubic metres (m3). Half of this is used for cooling in power stations, and almost all of it is returned to the natural environment. This is also the case for abstractions to maintain navigability and water flow on canals. Abstractions for drinking water, agriculture and other uses, mainly industrial, accounted for 11 billion m3 in 2013. This publication provides an overview of freshwater abstraction in France: geographical distribution, main uses and origin (groundwater or surface). It also examines the evolution of abstractions over the past 20 years.